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Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI) - Maritime Studies & Training


Marine Operations Management, Marchant Marine, Maritime Studies, STCW and Local Training Programs in Hong Kong

maritime services training institute msti

The Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI), previously known as Seamen's Training Center, was established in 1988 to provide a wide range of courses for new entrants, local and foreign in-service seafarers, and employees of marine-related and shore-based industry. Through the Maritime Services Training Board, the Institute has maintained close relationships with the industries and has continuously provided quality training to satisfy the manpower and training needs of related fields.

Located in Tai Lam Chung, Tuen Mun, MSTI has a net area of 16,000 square meters offers both pre-employment and in-service training courses. Its training capacity reaches a total of 6,000 trainees each year. The programs that MSTI provides include the 3-year full-time Higher Diploma Courses in Maritime Studies, new entrant day courses and modular day courses for deck cadet officers, local and foreign in-service seafarers, and employees of marine-related and shore-based industries. Besides, MSTI provides tailor-made safety training courses to meet the requirements of corporations.At present, the MSTI is the sole institution approved by the authorities to provide various specific mandatory training courses as required by the STCW, Merchant Shipping Regulation, Shipping & Port Control Regulation and Factories & Industrial Undertakings Regulation.

MSTI is a part of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is the largest vocational education, training and professional development group in Hong Kong.Established in 1982, VTC provides valuable credentials for some 230 000 students each year through a full range of pre-employment and in-service programs with internationally recognized qualifications.

msti campus

Training Programs

Full-Time Programs

  • Higher Diploma in Maritime Studies (3 years): The program provides the professional knowledge and practical training on shipboard operations and practices in maritime industries. Its aims are to prepare students for pursuing further study and careers in seafaring and marine-related sectors. Upon completion of the course, students may pursue further study or serve in merchant navy as deck cadets. They may also find their job opportunities in marine consultancy companies, warehouses & container terminals, bunkering & ship supplies companies, ship agency & management companies, stevedoring & Cargo forwarding agency companies etc.
  • Certificates for Junior General Purpose Ratings (23 weeks): The objective of running the program is to supply properly trained and qualified personnel to fulfill the manpower demand of the marine industry and to meet the local and international training standards for general purpose ratings. Besides, the course provides also opportunities for young people, who prefer to choose alternative routes for their career development. At present, the majority of graduates serve on local tugs, bunker barge, harbor ferries and HK-Mainland and HK-Macau high-speed ferries. Having gained required sea experience, graduates may appear for examinations leading to Certificates of Competency, Class 3 Deck Officer (River Trade) or Grade 3 Coxswain (Local Vessel).

Part-Time Programs

  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) Marine Operations Management - 8 month regular face-to-face evening lessons (on-campus) & 10-month work based projects (off-campus): The School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) and the Warsash Maritime Academy of Southampton Solent University, United Kingdom has jointly launched this top-up degree in Hong Kong for students to enhance their existing qualifications and gain a competitive edge in their career progression.

Cruise Programs

  • Diploma in Cruise Operations (Part time, 6 months) - including 175 part-time contact hours and 26 weeks paid Workplace Practices

Professional Maritime Programs

  • Proficiency in Maritime Communication (PIMC) course detail     
  • Upgrading Course for Certificate of Competency Class 2/1 (Deck) - Commerce and Law    
  • Upgrading Course for Certificate of Competency Class 2/1 (Deck) - Passage Planning
  • Upgrading Course for Certificate of Competency Class 3 (Deck) - Coastal Navigation
  • Upgrading Course for Certificate of Competency Class 3 (Deck) - Offshore Navigation form
  • Upgrading Course for Certificate of Competency Class 3 (Deck) - General Ship Knowledge              
  • Upgrading Course for Certificate of Competency Class 3 (Deck) - Watch-keeping & Meteorology
  • Upgrading Course for Certificate of Competency Class 3 (Deck) - Proficiency in Communication
  • Upgrading Course for Certificate of Competency Class 3 (Deck) - Seamanship and Safety
  • Upgrading Course for Certificate of Competency Class 2/1 (Deck) - Navigation

Local Craft Training Courses

  • Shipboard Cargo Handling Basic Safety Training Course
  • Basic Handling of Dangerous Goods (Local Vessel)
  • Shipboard Cargo Handling Basic Safety Training (Refresher)
  • Works Supervisor Safety Training Course - Cargo Handling
  • Works Supervisor Safety Training Course - Marine Construction
  • Works Supervisor Safety Training Course - Ship-repairing and Ship-breaking
  • Shipboard Crane Operators Safety Training (Refresher) Course
  • Shipboard Crane Operators Safety Training Course

STCW Courses

Marine Department Approved Training Courses

  • Basic Safety Training for Local Craft Ratings
  • Efficient Deck Hand for Local Craft Ratings
  • Oil Carrier Safety Training (Local Waters)
  • High Speed Craft Radar Simulator Course
  • Refresher Course for Coxswains of Local Vessels course
  • Basic Radar Operator Course
  • Elementary Radar Operation (HK Waters)
  • Personal Survival Techniques (Local Craft)
  • Fire Fighting (Local Craft)
  • Certificate in Basic Training for Local Craft Ratings
  • Elementary Radar Operations (Advanced) (Hong Kong Waters)
  • Local Vessel Coxswain Grade 3
  • Local Vessel Coxswain Grade 2
  • Local Vessel Engine Operator Grade 3

LAST UPDATED ON Mar 23, 2021