Evaluation of education in the maritime sector 2026-2027
The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) will carry out an evaluation of maritime education during the years 2026–2027 as a fee-based activity. The evaluation has been planned in cooperation with the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, Traficom.
Purpose and scope of the evaluation
The evaluation of maritime education is based on the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) and on Directive 2022/993/EC concerning the minimum level of training for seafarers which is based on the Convention.
The Convention requires the IMO to approve each country’s system for implementing the requirements of the STCW Convention on the basis of an independent evaluation. The evaluation must be carried out at least every five years and applies to education providers that offer training leading to STCW qualifications as well as to Traficom.
The purpose of the evaluation is to ensure that education providers offering training leading to STCW qualifications have effective quality systems and procedures in place to ensure that at least the minimum requirements of the STCW Convention are met.
Evaluation process and timetable
The evaluation of maritime education is based on the education provider’s self-evaluation, background material, and an evaluation visit conducted by an independent evaluation team. Evaluation visits to the education providers, who have commissioned evaluation from FINEEC, are carried out in 2026. Traficom will be evaluated in spring 2027. Traficom is responsible for submitting Finland’s country report to the IMO.
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