Recognizing STCW COC Class 1 Qualifications as Equivalent to an Academic Master’s Degree: A Proposal for Imo and World Maritime University

The maritime industry, responsible for over 80% of global trade, relies on a skilled workforce to ensure safety, efficiency, and sustainability. At the apex of maritime qualifications, the STCW CoC Class 1 certifications for Master Mariners and Chief Engineers, governed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through the STCW Convention, set rigorous competency standards. Despite their professional recognition, these certifications lack equivalence to academic master’s degrees, creating barriers for mariners seeking shore-based roles that require formal academic qualifications. This study employs a systematic and comparative research methodology to address this gap. The analysis involved collecting data from maritime academies, IMO model courses, and academic master’s programs in maritime studies, engineering, and related fields. Key areas of comparison include syllabus content, contact hours, sea-time training, practical competencies, and evaluation methods. Quantitative data, such as the total hours dedicated to training and assessment, were analyzed alongside qualitative comparisons of leadership, technical expertise, and research skills. The research also involved examining the nature of practical training (e.g., sea time versus internships or co-op programs) and assessment formats (e.g., CoC competency exams versus academic dissertations). These comparative insights were synthesized to evaluate the academic equivalence of STCW CoC Class 1 qualifications. The findings reveal a significant overlap in the depth and breadth of competencies achieved through CoC training and master’s degree programs, particularly in leadership, safety management, and environmental stewardship. However, the practical emphasis in CoC training far exceeds the theoretical focus of academic programs, underlining the need for formal recognition of these qualifications. This study advocates for the recognition of STCW CoC Class 1 certifications as equivalent to academic master’s degrees, proposing the integration of research methodology into CoC curricula to bridge remaining gaps. The research recommends a collaborative framework between the IMO and academic institutions to standardize equivalency, unlocking career opportunities for mariners and enhancing the global maritime workforce.