In order to actively fulfill the relevant resolutions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and further improve the level of occupational safety and rights protection for Chinese seafarers, P. R. China MSA issued Announcement No.22 on December 12, 2025, clarifying that the 2024 amendments to the STCW Code will officially take effect on January 1, 2026.

The core content of these amendments is the comprehensive integration of specialized requirements for “preventing and responding to violence and harassment (including sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual assault)” into the existing Basic Safety Training Outline for Seafarers on Ocean-Going Ships and the Basic Safety Examination Outline for Seafarers on Ocean-Going Ships. This initiative aims to enhance seafarers’ ability to identify, prevent, intervene in, and report misconduct onboard. It also introduces the concept of “trauma-informed response” to foster a safer and more respectful working environment.

The announcement provides clear transitional arrangements for various categories of seafarers: Those who already hold certificates before January 1, 2026, may continue to work within the validity period of their certificates, but must complete the designated online supplementary training and assessment via the Maritime App before their next certificate renewal. Individuals who have completed training but not yet applied for certification before that date must first finish the online learning modules to be eligible for certification. Starting from the implementation date, all seafarer training institutions shall conduct training according to the revised outlines, and new trainees will directly learn the latest content.