( www.MaritimeCyprus.com ) Seafarers are central to maritime safety and the sustainable operation of ships. Their expertise and resilience underpin the shipping industry’s ability to adapt to change. Recognizing this, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is working to ensure seafarers are well prepared for the energy transition in shipping, in line with the 2023 IMO Strategy on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships . This includes laying the foundations for harmonised global training standards for seafarers working on ships powered by alternative fuels and new technologies, through the ongoing development of interim training guidelines, the expansion of capacity-building programmes, and close collaboration with industry and academia. Regulatory developments: Interim generic training guidelines issued IMO has issued STCW.7/Circ.25 (September 2025) on Generic interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies. Recognising the urgent need for guidance on the development and approval of training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies, the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping ( HTW 11 ) agreed in February 2025 that training provisions should be delivered through: Generic interim guidelines applicable across the industry and relevant to all alternative fuels and technologies; and Fuel/technology-specific interim guidelines, aligned with safety provisions developed by other IMO bodies. Interim guidelines Generic STCW.7/Circ.25 (September 2025) on Generic interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies. Methyl/ethyl alcohol STCW.7/Circ.26 (July 2026) Interim Guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel Ammonia STCW.7/Circ.27 (July 2026) Interim Guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using ammonia as fuel IMO Member States and NGOs are now advancing their work on