Training Facilities

Maritime schools

Modern training for seafarers is provided by "maritime colleges". In Germany, these are the technical colleges and universities of the federal states. In addition, some vocational schools also offer maritime training. Vocational training in combination with additional practical training and seagoing service complement portfolio of the maritime training offered in Germany.

At the technical colleges, a degree is usually acquired in two school years after prior practical seagoing service. At universities, students can additionally acquire an academic degree as Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) after eight semesters (or after six semesters if they have previously completed a ship's mechanic apprenticeship) and apply for a certificate of competency with their graduation certificate. 

The classic courses of study at the universities are nautical science, marine engineering and marine electro-technical engineering. In addition, most universities also offer other degree programs with a maritime focus, such as maritime transport and port management, maritime management or international transport management.

Maritime course providers

There are also training facilities that offer various maritime courses. Some of these courses, i.e those that are required for the issuance of certificates, are approved by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency or the Ship Safety Division of the BG Verkehr. Courses not approved by the German Flag State Administration are neither admissible for obtaining a German competency (proof of qualification, certificates of competency and certificates of proficiency) to serve on a ship nor for applying for an extension of validity.

(back to top)

bild ausbildungsstätten

Overview: Universities

University The following certificates of competency can be obtained after graduation Contact
Hochschule Bremen
(Faculty 5: Nautical Sciences)
Navigational Watchkeeping Officer (NWO)

Phone: +49 421 59 05-46 01
Mail: sboelsmann@verw.hs-bremen.de

Hochschule Bremerhaven
(Program of study: Schiffsbetriebstechnik)
Engineering Watchkeeping Officer (TWO)

Phone: +49 471 48 23-144
Mail: r.behrens@hs-bremerhaven.de

Jade Hochschule Wilhelmshaven/ Oldenburg / Elsfleth
(Department of Maritime and Logistic Studies)
Navigational Watchkeeping Officer (NWO)
Phone: +49 4404 92 88-0
Mail: fbs-office@fh-oldenburg.de

Hochschule Flensburg
(Faculty 1)

Engineering Watchkeeping Officer (TWO),

Navigational Watchkeeping Officer (NWO)


Phone: +49 461 805-17 47
studienberatung@hs-flensburg.de

Hochschule Emden / Leer
(Faculty Maritime Studies)
Navigational Watchkeeping Officer (NWO)
Phone: +49 491 92 817-50 12
Mail: dekanat.seefahrt@hs-emden-leer.de

Hochschule Wismar
(Department Maritime Studies)

Navigational Watchkeeping Officer (NWO),

Engineering Watchkeeping Officer (TWO),

Electro-technical Officer (ETO)

Contact information on website

(back to top)

Overview: Technical colleges

Technical college The following certificates of competency can be obtained after graduation Contact
Hochschule Emden / Leer
(Faculty Maritime Studies)
Officer on ships of 500 GT / near-coastal voyages (NWO 500),

Navigational Watchkeeping Officer (NWO),

Engine operator up to 750 kW (TSM)
Phone: +49 491 92 817-50 10
Mail: fachschule@hs-emden-leer.de

Staatliche Seefahrtschule Cuxhaven
Master national voyages 100 GT (NK100)

Officer on ships of 500 GT / near-coastal voyages (NWO 500),

Navigational Watchkeeping Officer (NWO),

Engineering Watchkeeping Officer (TWO),

Engine operator up to 750 kW (TSM),

Officer in charge of the navigational watch in high sea fishing (BKW),

Officer in charge of the navigational watch in deep sea fishing (BGW),

Skipper in coastal fishing (BKü)
Phone: +49 4721 39 597-0
Mail: info@seefahrtschule.niedersachsen.de
Fachschule für Seefahrt Flensburg
(Fachbereich Seefahrt)
Master national voyages 100 GT (NK100)

Officer on ships of 500 GT / near-coastal voyages (NWO 500),

Navigational Watchkeeping Officer (NWO),

Engineering Watchkeeping Officer (TWO),

Engine operator up to 750 kW (TSM)
Phone: +49 461 805-19 00
Mail: sfs.infofs@hs-flensburg.de

Fachschule für Seefahrt Rostock
(part of Hochschule Wismar - Faculty Engineering - affiliated courses of study)
Master national voyages 100 GT (NK100)
Officer on ships of 500 GT / near-coastal voyages (NWO 500),

Navigational Watchkeeping Officer (NWO),

Engineering Watchkeeping Officer (TWO),

Engine operator up to 750 kW (TSM)
Phone: +49 381 96 98-45 76
Mail: dirk.kahnke@hs-wismar.de
Regionales berufliches Bildungszentrum - Sassnitz -

Skipper in coastal fishing (BKü),

Engine operator up to 750 kW (TSM)

Phone: +49 38 392-64 8-0
Mail: sassnitz@rbb-vr.de

(back to top)

Overview: Vocational schools

Other vocational schools The following certificates of competency can be obtained after graduation Contact
AFZ Aus- und Fortbildungszentrum Rostock GmbH Ship's mechanic (GSM)
Phone: +49 381 80 17-0
Mail: afz@afz-rostock.de

Maritimes Kompetenzzentrum GmbH Ship's mechanic (GSM)
Phone: +49 44 04 98 954-0
Mail: info@marikom-elsfleth.de

Schleswig Holsteinische Seemannsschule
Ship's mechanic (GSM)

Phone: +49 45 02 51 52-0
Mail: info@seemannsschule.landsh.de

(back to top)

Overview: qualifying courses at other vocational schools

(after graduating as "Schiffstechnischer Assistent" with this qualifying course and in addition to a practical training approved by the BSH as well as seagoing service, the named certificates of competency can be obtained)

School The following certificates of competency can be obtained after graduation Contact
Staatliche Seefahrtschule Cuxhaven

Able seafarer deck (NVM),

Able seafarer engine (TVM)

Phone: +49 4721 39 597-0
Mail: info@seefahrtschule.niedersachsen.de

(back to top)

Training location ship

The training of ship's mechanics takes place on seagoing vessels and at vocational schools. Training may only take place on a ship that has been recognized for this purpose by the Berufsbildungsstelle Seeschifffahrt e.V. (BBS).

Shipping companies have to submit the application for recognition of a seagoing vessel as training facility to the BBS. You will find the "Antrag auf Anerkennung eines Seeschiffes als Ausbildungsstätte" under "Vorlagen und Formulare für die Ausbildung von Schiffsmechaniker*innen" in the download area for shipping companies of the website for training in maritime shipping www.machmeer.de.

The requirements for recognition are set out in § 8 of the Maritime Vocational Training Ordinance (See-BAV).

You can also find further information on training as ship's mechanic or navigational officer's assistant, technical officer's assistant or electro-technical officer assistants on the website for training in maritime shipping (in each case in German only).

(back to top)