Seafarers Recruitment

Ukrainian Seafarers: Documents, Recognition and Jobs

Ukrainian officers and engineers have long served on international fleets, especially on tankers, bulk carriers and general cargo ships, and many trained at the maritime universities and academies in Odesa and Kherson.

Certificates and seaman’s book in Ukraine

Certificates of Competency are issued through Ukraine’s maritime administration. The issuing body has been reorganised more than once, so check the current issuing office and online verification with the issuing authority.
Ukrainian seafarers hold a national seaman’s identity document and record of service; check the current form and validity with the issuing authority.

STCW status and recognition by foreign flags

Ukraine is a Party to the STCW Convention and appears on the IMO list of Parties confirmed as giving full and complete effect to it (the “white list”, IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1164 and its revisions). Check the latest revision before relying on it.

Foreign flags issue STCW Reg. I/10 endorsements on Ukrainian CoCs after verification. Check each flag’s current list of recognised countries and whether its verification with Ukraine is working normally.

What employers ask Ukrainian seafarers for

Since 2022, travel abroad by Ukrainian men of mobilisation age is governed by martial-law rules that include specific provisions for seafarers. These rules have changed several times: check the current requirements with your crewing agency before signing a contract
Original CoC and STCW certificates for joining, with the flag endorsement or the application receipt
Proof of English: some employers use tests such as Marlins
Sea service records for the rank applied for, ideally on the same ship type

Crewing agencies that place Ukrainian crew often arrange joining through neighbouring countries; travel time to the joining port should be agreed in the contract.

Endorsements and seaman’s books for foreign flags

Our partner International Ship Registry handles flag endorsements of CoCs (STCW Reg. I/10) and seaman’s books for ratings, for example the Belize seaman’s book, on behalf of seafarers and crewing agencies.

How to register

Create a free seafarer account and confirm your email address.
Choose Ukrainian as nationality, then add your rank, sea service, CoC, STCW certificates, medical and seaman’s book, and upload copies.
Make your profile visible to verified employers and apply to the jobs for your rank.

Create seafarer account See all jobs

Jobs by rank and ship type

Seafarers of other nationalities

Seafarers: see how Seafarers Recruitment works for seafarers. Employers and crewing agencies: post a vacancy or search crew.