A ship is only as reliable as the crew running it — yet many shipping companies still treat HR as paperwork rather than a performance lever. This Training Course from Arab British Fellowship Training Academy repositions Maritime HR as a strategic function that shapes safety, retention, and operational performance. Delivered under the Shipping, Maritime and Ports Training Courses specialization within the Management category, it builds the workforce planning, training, and welfare practices that keep crews safe and shipping operations running smoothly.

Participants work through recruiting and retaining maritime personnel, meeting STCW competency and certification requirements, managing crew performance and leadership development, and applying maritime employment regulations — building the practical toolkit needed to build a skilled, motivated, and high-performing maritime workforce.

By the end of this Training Course, participants will be able to:

• Position Maritime HR as a strategic function that supports safety and operational performance.
• Develop recruitment, workforce planning, and succession strategies for maritime personnel.
• Apply STCW competency, certification, and training-record requirements.
• Design crew training and competency development pathways.
• Manage crew performance appraisal, coaching, and leadership development.
• Resolve conflict and strengthen communication within maritime teams.
• Support crew welfare, mental health awareness, and work-life balance at sea.
• Apply retention strategies that reduce maritime workforce turnover.
• Ensure compliance with maritime labour regulations and employment documentation.

Target Audience

This course is suitable for:

• Maritime HR and crew managers
• Fleet and shipping company managers
• Crewing agency professionals and marine personnel officers
• Training and development managers
• Ship masters, senior officers, and marine superintendents
• Maritime compliance officers
• Professionals responsible for crew management and human resources

Module 1: Why Maritime HR Is a Strategic Function

• Fundamentals of Maritime HR and its role in shipping operations
• Roles, responsibilities, and workforce challenges
• Building an HR strategy aligned with fleet objectives
• Workforce analytics and organisational performance
• Managing change within maritime HR functions

Module 2: Recruiting and Planning the Maritime Workforce

• Maritime recruitment strategies
• Workforce planning and crew scheduling
• Talent acquisition
• Succession planning

Module 3: STCW Compliance and Crew Training Pathways

• STCW Convention requirements and certification management
• Competency assessment and training records management
• Designing maritime training programmes
• Career progression and continuous professional learning

Module 4: Performance, Leadership and Team Development

• Performance appraisal systems and crew performance measurement
• Coaching and mentoring
• Conflict resolution
• Leadership development and team leadership

Module 5: Crew Welfare and Retention

• Crew welfare programmes and mental health awareness
• Work-life balance at sea
• Employee motivation
• Retention strategies

Module 6: Maritime Employment Law and HR Compliance

• Maritime labour regulations and international labour standards
• Employment contracts
• HR documentation
• Compliance monitoring