STCW PSSR 2026: 10 Key Points About the New Mandatory Training on Bullying, Harassment, and Sexual Assault

STCW PSSR 2026: 10 Key Points About the New Mandatory Training on Bullying, Harassment, and Sexual Assault
Raunek May 20, 2026

Addressing violence and harassment at sea has been a priority for the international maritime community and seafarer welfare organisations, flag states and industry bodies provided evidence and advocacy that shaped a coordinated regulatory response. That response is reflected in a mandatory minimum standard, applicable to every seafarer on an international trading SOLAS vessel, from 1 January 2026.

That standard is set by IMO Resolution MSC.560(108). Starting from 1 January 2026, all seafarers on an international trading SOLAS vessel will be required to demonstrate competence in the prevention of and response to violence, harassment, sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault as part of Basic Safety Training. This is not a flag state recommendation or a company policy guideline. This is a minimum standard under international maritime law.

Below are ten points that explain what has changed, who it affects and what seafarers, crewing managers and training providers need to do.

1. How IMO came up with the new mandatory standard

The IMO’s response to violence and harassment at sea was developed through extensive consultation. The ITF, the ICS and seafarer welfare organisations gave evidence of the extent and impact of harassment and bullying at sea, while the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention 2006 provided a complementary framework of worker protections. Recognising the importance of minimum standards that are trainable and enforceable as part of the STCW framework, the IMO Marine Safety Committee created a workstream in 2022 to address this issue.

A Joint IMO/ILO Tripartite Working Group (JTWG) was established to ensure that the new requirements would be consistent in the instruments of both organisations. The group met 27-29 February 2024 at IMO Headquarters, London, and agreed harmonised terminology and minimum training requirements designed to work across both the STCW Convention and ILO frameworks simultaneously – a deliberate step towards a consistent international standard.

MSC 107, in 2023, adopted the draft amendments. MSC 108 adopted Resolution MSC.560(108) on 23 May 2024, which will enter into force on 1 January 2026. The reason for the 18-month lead time was that training providers, flag states and maritime education institutions needed time to update their programmes, seek approval from maritime administrations and issue guidance to operators.

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