Maritime Just Transition Task Force: interim training frameworks unveiled for seafarers on alternative-fuel-powered vessels

Click to learn more. MJTTF’s new publication: Advanced Training Framework And Instructor Handbook For Ammonia As Marine Fuel (Sept 2025).

The IMO-backed Maritime Just Transition Task Force (MJTTF) has unveiled training frameworks for preparing seafarers on vessels powered by alternative fuels including ammonia, methanol and hydrogen. The frameworks feature learning materials for entry-level or operational seafarers and senior officers, and instructor handbooks. The frameworks will provide much-needed guidance in the absence of harmonised training standards for alternative fuels.

The publicly-available training frameworks will help regulators and maritime administrations to set the criteria for training programmes, certification schemes and competency validation for seafarers. This includes classroom education, simulation-based performance assessments and sea-time training.

The frameworks can be used by maritime training institutions to adapt curricula and delivery teaching models. They can also support shipping companies in personnel onboarding and in safety management practices related to the use of alternative fuels. The Task Force will also release general familiarisation guidelines for seafarers and key shore-based personnel, who are not covered by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (the 1978 STCW Convention).

The frameworks and familiarisation guidelines are a product of ‘The Baseline Training Frameworks for Seafarers in Decarbonisation’ Project by the MJTTF, established by the IMO Secretariat and Lloyd’s Register (LR), in which the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (The Decarb Hub) and the World Maritime University (WMU) acted as technical and academic leads respectively. The project has worked alongside (and informed) the review of the 1978 STCW Convention and Code which is currently underway by the IMO. Industry partners and experts also contributed to the development of the frameworks.

The launch of the framework was celebrated as part of LR’s Maritime Human Capital Management Forum, in partnership with the London International Shipping Week 2025. The MJTTF hopes that the published resources will be widely adopted as part of the industry’s training and preparation for the large-scale deployment of alternative fuels.

A draft version of the generic training guidelines was agreed by the IMO Sub Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) in February this year, after which they were formally approved by the Maritime Safety Committee in June. The IMO training guidelines and MJTTF frameworks are being developed in parallel. The framework authors anticipate that their material will directly inform development of the IMO official training guidelines, with further progress to be made at the next HTW meeting in February 2026.