Marine Advisory: 41/2025 - Recognized Training Center (RTC) Program

5 December 2025

Marine Advisory: 41/2025

Subject: Recognized Training Center (RTC) Program

REFERENCES:

1. Liberian Maritime Regulation 10.325(3)
2. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978, as amended
3. Publication RLM-118, “Requirements for Merchant Marine Personnel Certification”
4. MSC.1/Circ. 1163/Rev.13, Parties to STCW, 1978 as amended
5. SOLAS Chapter IX, “Management for the Safe Operation of Ships”
6. Marine Notice SEA-003, Approval of Maritime Training Centers, Courses and Programs

Dear Shipowners, Operators, Masters, Officers and crew, Authorized Liberian Filing Agents and Maritime Training Centers

Purpose:

The purpose of this Advisory is to inform all seafarers, Maritime Training Centers (MTC), Authorized Liberian Filing Agents, and ship owner/operators of the requirements established by the Liberian Administration to ensure the competency and good seamanship of seafarers serving aboard Liberian- flagged vessels through enhanced oversight of maritime training and certification centers.

Considering the varying levels of training quality across the industry, the Administration is strengthening its verification and recognition process for Maritime Training Centers to ensure that every seafarer serving aboard a Liberian-flagged vessel receives training meeting the National and International requirements.

BACKGROUND:

Regulation I/14 stipulates that each Administration shall hold companies responsible for the assignment of seafarers on their ships in accordance with the STCW Convention. The Flag State remains ultimately responsible for ensuring that seafarers serving on its ships are able to perform functions vital to safety, security, and prevention of pollution.

The Republic of Liberia recognizes that proper training and qualification are essential to minimizing human error and maintaining shipboard safety. As the Flag Administration, Liberia acts as the final authority for verifying that seafarers meet the standards of competence established by STCW and national regulations.

Many Maritime Training Centers (MTC) are already authorized by their respective National Maritime Administrations who are Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978, as amended, (MSC.1/Circ. 1163/Rev.13). The Republic of Liberia maintains Memoranda of Undertakings, (MOUs) with many of the Parties listed on MSC.1/Circ.1163/Rev.13.

In an effort to ensure that each seafarer who is employed aboard a Liberian Flagged vessel has undergone the proper training and certification required, the Liberian Registry has introduced the Recognized Training Center (RTC) Program. Under this program, the Liberian Registry will issue Liberian Course Certificates for seafarers who have successfully completed training at Maritime Training Centers approved by their Administrations. This measure will assist ship managers and operators in ensuring that all seafarers employed on Liberian-flagged vessels meet the required standards of competence and that documentation presented is valid.

GUIDANCE:

1. Effective on 15 December 2025, the Maritime Training Center Recognition Program shall be available through Liberia’s Seafarer Portal.
2. Maritime Training Centers who register for the program will be granted provisional recognition for six (6) months.
3. During this six-month provisional recognition period, all MTCs should apply for proper approval as explained in Liberia’s Marine Notice SEA-003.
4. Those MTCs who do not yet have approval from their National Maritime Administrations shall need to apply as explained in Marine Notice SEA-003 before this Administration can accept their training.
5. Effective as of 15 February 2026, all seafarers applying for Liberian credentials must submit their Liberian Course Certificates and any applicable National Certificates of Proficiency.
6. All Liberian Course Certificates issued under this program will include a secure QR code as an embedded authentication feature. This QR code shall enable real-time digital verification and is required to validate the legitimacy of any Liberian Course Certificate presented in support of a seafarer’s application.

The Administration emphasizes that training and qualification are collective responsibilities shared between the ship operator, the training provider, and Flag State. The RTC Program ensures that every seafarer serving aboard a Liberian ship has received training that meets uniform standards of competence and safety.

All submissions are to be addressed to:

Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry

Attn: Director of Training Centers

22980 Indian Creek Drive, Suite 200

Dulles, VA 20166 U.S.A.

USA Tel: (703) 790-3434

USA Fax: (703) 790-5655

Email: TrainingCenter@liscr.com

Seafarer Portal: https://seafarer.liscr.com