Spanish Seafarers on Egyptian Vessels: What Changes with the STCW 2026 Agreement

Key data

Spanish merchant marine seafarers with qualifications recognized under the STCW 78 Convention as amended now have a formal pathway to work aboard vessels flying the Egyptian flag. The bilateral agreement between Spain and Egypt, signed in Madrid on August 19, 2013 and published in the BOE on June 10, 2026, activates the recognition mechanism provided for in Rule 1/10 of the STCW Convention, which allows one State party to recognize certificates of competence issued by another State party.

Until now, the absence of this formal recognition could pose a bureaucratic obstacle or even make it impossible to embark on Egyptian vessels. With this agreement, that obstacle disappears, provided Spain remains on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) white list.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement formalizes the commitment of the Egyptian Government to recognize certificates of competence issued by Spain in accordance with Rule 1/10 of the STCW 78 Convention as amended. This means that a Spanish seafarer does not need to revalidate their qualification before Egyptian authorities to embark on a vessel flying the Egyptian flag: Egypt only needs to verify the authenticity of the Spanish certificate.

The key operational elements of the agreement are as follows:

The agreement is of a bilateral administrative nature, which means it does not require parliamentary ratification but does require official publication to take effect in the Spanish legal system. Hence, although it was signed in 2013, its publication in the BOE in 2026 is the milestone that makes it fully operational and known to those affected in Spain.

Economic and operational impact

For Spanish merchant marine seafarers, this agreement has a direct impact on their international employability. The fleet under the Egyptian flag represents an employment opportunity that until now could be blocked by the lack of formal recognition of Spanish qualifications.

• Access to new employment contracts: Seafarers with Spanish STCW qualifications can apply for job offers from shipping companies operating under the Egyptian flag without needing to revalidate their certificate.
• Bureaucratic efficiency: The 7-day verification period ensures that authenticity verification does not block or significantly delay the hiring process.
• Legal certainty: The agreement has a validity period of 5 years with automatic renewal, providing stability to contracts signed under this recognition.
• Termination risk: If Spain were removed from the IMO white list, the agreement could be terminated with only 30 days' notice, leaving seafarers already embarked under this recognition without coverage.

For shipping companies and crewing agencies that manage the hiring of Spanish seafarers for international fleets, the agreement simplifies procedures and reduces regulatory uncertainty in operations with Egyptian shipowners.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish sailors and officers with STCW certificates of competence seeking employment on vessels flying the Egyptian flag.
• Crewing agencies and crew management that manage the placement of Spanish seafarers in international fleets, including Egyptian ones.
• Shipping companies and shipowners operating under the Egyptian flag who wish to hire crew with Spanish qualifications.
• Spanish maritime training centers and nautical schools, which may be subject to inspection by the Egyptian maritime authority under the agreement.
• Spanish Maritime Administration (Directorate General of the Merchant Marine), responsible for responding to verification requests within 7 days and notifying regulatory changes within 30 days.

Practical example

A Spanish bridge officer with a Master of the Merchant Marine certificate issued in accordance with the STCW Convention receives a job offer from a shipping company operating under the Egyptian flag. Before this agreement, the shipping company could encounter difficulties in proving to the Egyptian maritime authority that the Spanish certificate was equivalent and valid.

With the agreement in force, the process is as follows:

1. The shipping company or the Egyptian maritime authority requests Spain to verify the authenticity of the seafarer's certificate.
2. The Spanish Directorate General of the Merchant Marine responds within a maximum of 7 days confirming the validity of the certificate.
3. The seafarer can embark with full legal coverage under the Egyptian flag.

If during the contract period Spain were to modify its nautical qualification system, the Spanish Administration would be obligated to notify Egypt within 30 days, ensuring that recognition remains valid or that necessary measures are adopted.

What should companies do now?

1. Crewing agencies and shipping companies: Update hiring procedures to include Spain-Egypt STCW recognition as a valid pathway for embarking Spanish crew on vessels flying the Egyptian flag.
2. Seafarers with Spanish STCW qualifications: Verify that their certificates are valid and issued in accordance with the STCW 78 Convention as amended, a requirement to benefit from the agreement.
3. Maritime training centers: Review whether their facilities and training programs comply with standards that may be subject to inspection by the Egyptian maritime authority.
4. Maritime Administration and fleet managers: Establish an efficient communication channel with the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine to manage verification requests within the 7-day period.
5. All affected parties: Monitor Spain's status on the IMO white list, as its removal would activate the possibility of terminating the agreement with only 30 days' notice.

Official source

View complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-12518