Maritime Training Centers in Europe – Part 3: Germany and the Netherlands
26.08.2025
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Ukrainian seafarers have been navigating new paths and opportunities to advance their maritime careers for over three years now, despite facing significant challenges. "Crewing Guide" has previously covered maritime training centers in Poland and across Latvia, Romania, Croatia, and Cyprus.
This article focuses on obtaining or renewing maritime certificates in Germany and the Netherlands, while exploring training centers that prepare seafarers for "smart ship" technologies and artificial intelligence integration.
If you know of other European maritime training centers that you can recommend to colleagues, write to us at support@ukrcrewing.com.ua, and we'll add them to this article.
Maritime Training Centers for Seafarers in Germany
Established by Marlow Navigation, this Hamburg-based training center offers courses in navigation and technical disciplines including ship engine design and operation, electrical engineering, shipbuilding, control systems, and radar technology. Students train on cutting-edge simulators covering ship handling, radar and ECDIS, liquid cargo, engines, high-voltage systems, VTS, GMDSS, plus NAPA software and other platforms. Additional training details are available on Marlow's official site.
The training center in Leer offers 10-day safety courses in accordance with STCW standards. In addition to fire training and life-saving equipment operation, the course also covers piracy prevention, familiarization with German accident prevention regulations (UVV-See), and first aid. A one-day security course and additional courses on LNG and offshore work are also offered. The center works with international students.
The Maritime Competence Center in Elsfleth (MariKom) combines maritime training with modular safety education for marine engineers, officers, port logistics professionals, junior maritime professionals, and seafarers. The center offers STCW courses covering fire training, emergency response, life-saving equipment operation, and first aid. Practical training takes place using simulators, pontoons, and water facilities. Classes are primarily conducted in German, though some courses - particularly those meeting international standards like STCW - may be available in English. We recommend confirming the language of instruction when registering for specific courses.
This center operates training facilities across four German cities: Hamburg, Bremen, Bremerhaven, and Wilhelmshaven. The training center offers courses for personnel servicing various fleet types, providing basic safety training, shipboard firefighter instruction, and medical care upgrading courses. Computer-based dangerous goods courses and individual sea survival programs are available. Classes are predominantly conducted in German-English language availability requires confirmation.
Located in Buxtehude, Lower Saxony, Germany - a small town approximately 25 km southwest of Hamburg's center. This maritime training center serves bulk carrier officers, navigating officers, and safety and environmental specialists. NSB Academy features two full-mission bridge simulators that can connect online with other training centers worldwide.
DNV leads globally in software and digital solutions, including maritime applications. Beyond standard STCW, ISM, ISPS, and MLC compliance courses, DNV Academy trains auditors, inspectors, superintendents, and marine equipment specialists using artificial intelligence technologies. Training covers Digital Twin technologies, augmented reality, autonomous vessels, cybersecurity, design, and shipbuilding. Online learning options are available. The academy also offers IMDG Code courses and ship technologies and alternative fuels training for tankers, bulk carriers, and container ships.
A specialized maritime and offshore training center within AFZ Aus- und Fortbildungszentrum Rostock GmbH. The center delivers comprehensive STCW-standard courses — from basic and refresher training to specialized modules in fire safety, medical care, lifeboat operations, and passenger vessel procedures. For offshore training, the center conducts BOSIET, HUET (including CA-EBS), and other safety training for offshore drilling platform and wind energy workers. GWO (Global Wind Organisation) programs include Sea Survival, Fire Awareness, Working at Heights, First Aid, and additional courses. Training infrastructure features modern simulators, a pool for maritime evacuation practice, and emergency situation simulators.
This Maritime Simulation Center at Wismar University of Applied Sciences (Warnemünde, Germany) is the world's only facility combining navigation, ship technical operation, and shore-based VTS service simulators. The center trains both students and active seafarers—Chief Officers, marine engineers, Masters, and navigating officers. Equipment includes four main complexes: Ship Handling Simulator, Ship Engine Simulator, Vessel Traffic Services Simulator, and Ship Safety & Security Trainer.
Obtaining / Renewing Maritime Certificates in the Netherlands
DRTC Groningen's standout feature is its dedicated training tanker Lingepoort — specially converted for practical sea rescue training and permanently stationed at the training center. The center specializes in deck crew training and delivers comprehensive educational programs including STCW Convention courses, IGF and POLAR Code training, ship management programs, and maritime and wind technology courses.
Beyond its core curriculum, DRTC Groningen trains safety officers (both shipboard and port-based), conducts medical training, and offers firefighting courses. Located in Finsterwolde Haven port in Groningen, the center provides convenient access to maritime infrastructure.
Instruction is available in both Dutch and English. Most courses are conducted in-person though online options exist—such as the Maritime Dutch Law Assessment program.
This professional training center in Rotterdam (Maashaven) specializes in safety and medical courses for offshore and wind energy industry workers. The center offers online STCW training through the STCW.online platform, allowing students to study and take exams even while at sea. Custom training arrangements for specific course modules can be arranged upon request. The center also assists with seaman's book processing. Primary instruction is conducted in English.
This training center belongs to Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company operating a fleet of over 90 vessels. The center houses the Maritime Training Academy with its own simulation center, known as CSMART Academy. Graduates have employment opportunities with Carnival Corporation upon completion. Online courses are available for those unable to attend in-person classes.
RBG offers STCW and MLC-2006 standard courses for merchant and passenger fleet officers and ratings, as well as port workers. Their official website lists which flag states accept STCW certificates from Rood Boven Groen. Popular courses include Security Awareness, Crisis Management & Human Behaviour, Passenger Safety, and Cargo Safety and Hull Integrity. Most courses are available in online format.
This modern training center delivers bridge operation courses, ship handling, cargo and inland transportation, plus specialized programs for engineers. The facility features four bridge simulators equipped with DP-2 systems and marine vessel models. Training programs follow HELM (Human Element Leadership and Management) guidelines and MNTB requirements. They also comply with sections A-II/1 and A-II/2 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. The "ship to ship" course for masters, pilots, and mooring personnel holds special prominence in the curriculum.
This training center specializes in preparing specialists for oil and gas, chemical, and offshore industries. Primary focus is on safety training, including BOSIET, FOET, HUET, EBS, CA-EBS, 0.5A, and 0.5B programs. Located in Rotterdam port, the center covers approximately 7,000 square meters and houses continental Europe's largest sea survival training pool. DELTA holds OPITO and NOGEPA accreditation, with certificates recognized by the international oil and gas and offshore company community.
This educational institution at the Netherlands University of Applied Sciences offers 10 maritime specialty courses, including electrical engineering, polar water operations, simulation and DP system retraining, plus courses for officers and masters of various vessel types, including tugs. Training takes place on modern simulators: full-size bridges, virtual engine rooms, cargo handling simulators, dynamic positioning, high-voltage systems, radar navigation (ARPA), and GMDSS.
A certified safety training center meeting STCW, OPITO, NOGEPA, and GWO standards. Courses target oil, gas, wind industry, and offshore specialists. Blended learning format is available: theoretical components online, practical training at centers in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Lage Zwaluwe, or IJmuiden. FMTC also maintains international offices in Houston (USA), Dunkirk (France), and Dammam (Saudi Arabia).
"Crewing Guide" wishes you success in finding the training center that will help you stay "afloat" and advance in your profession. We hope we've made your search a bit easier.
Want to become a co-author? Write to us at support@ukrcrewing.com.ua about which European training center you attended and what made it memorable. We'll gladly share this information with all seafarers on ukrcrewing.com.ua.
Our next article will cover maritime training centers in Norway, Italy, and Spain.
Author of the article: our own correspondent Ilona Skripnik
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