A single missed non-conformity in a Safety Management System can cascade into a detained vessel, a failed Port State Control inspection, or worse. The Strengthening Maritime Compliance Through Effective Auditing and Inspection Training Course by Arab British Fellowship Training Academy gives maritime professionals a structured, evidence-based approach to catching those gaps before they become incidents.

Participants build practical skills in internal audits, inspections and ISM audits across shipping companies, vessels, terminals and port operations, learning to plan and conduct audits using recognised methodologies, apply international conventions, manage corrective actions, and report findings clearly. The course combines theory with case studies so delegates leave able to strengthen management systems and keep operations compliant, safe and efficient.

This course is designed for:

• Marine and technical superintendents, marine surveyors and internal auditors.
• Port authority personnel and ship management professionals.
• HSE managers, quality assurance managers and compliance officers.
• Vessel masters, chief officers and fleet managers.
• Marine operations managers, maritime consultants and classification society staff.
• Anyone responsible for regulatory compliance and inspections in the maritime sector.

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completing the program, participants will be able to master the following:

• Understand the principles, objectives and scope of Maritime Auditing.
• Plan and conduct internal audits and professional vessel inspections.
• Apply international maritime regulations, including IMO and flag state requirements.
• Conduct ISM audits and evaluate Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• Identify non-conformities and build effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Prepare professional audit reports and communicate findings with impact.
• Support continuous improvement through structured audit management systems.

Module 1: The Purpose and Standards of Maritime Auditing

• Principles, objectives and scope of maritime audits.
• Types of maritime audits and international auditing standards.
• Roles and responsibilities of auditors.

Module 2: The Regulatory Framework Behind Compliance

• IMO conventions, SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW requirements.
• Flag State obligations and Port State Control requirements.
• Classification society requirements.

Module 3: Planning and Conducting Internal Audits

• Risk-based audit planning and scheduling.
• Preparing checklists and audit documentation.
• Interview, observation and sampling techniques for gathering evidence.

Module 4: Inspecting Vessels, Terminals and Cargo Operations

• Vessel and terminal inspections.
• Cargo operation, safety and environmental inspections.

Module 5: ISM Audits and Safety Management Systems

• ISM Code requirements and conducting ISM audits.
• Safety Management System evaluation.
• Identifying non-conformities and driving continuous improvement.

Module 6: Managing Non-Conformities and Compliance Risk

• Root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action planning.
• Verification and follow-up audits.
• Compliance risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

Module 7: Reporting Findings and Communicating with Management

• Preparing audit reports and presenting findings.
• Closing meetings and documentation control.
• Communicating effectively with management and stakeholders.

Module 8: Building a Culture of Compliance

• Digital auditing tools and audit programme management.
• Lessons learned from maritime incidents.
• Governance, performance indicators and continuous improvement.