Becoming a seafarer in Malaysia as a career change

Official rules for adults who already have a profession on shore.

Age limits

ALAM diploma programmes and deck rating courses accept applicants aged 18 to 25.
Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Nautical Studies
The catering rating course accepts applicants from 18 up to 40.
Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Catering Rating
Under STCW, a candidate for officer in charge of a navigational watch must be at least 18 and have at least 12 months of approved seagoing service.
Source: IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (2010): Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention

Your profession on shore	Role at sea	Course	Where and on what terms
Adult with engine-room or mechanical experience	Engine rating, later engineer officer	Engine rating course (STCW III/5) at an accredited institute	For a near-coastal watchkeeping engineer certificate, the checklist accepts 36 months of engine-room sea service as an engine rating. Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Certificate of competency qualifications, engine (application checklist) For a small-ship engineer officer certificate (domestic and near-coastal trade), the checklist accepts 24 months of engine-room service as an engine rating. Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Certificate of competency qualifications, engine (application checklist)
Adult without maritime education	Deck rating, later deck officer	Deck rating course (STCW II/5) at an accredited institute	Without a cadetship, the unlimited deck watchkeeping checklist accepts 36 months of deck sea time. Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Certificate of competency qualifications, deck (application checklist)
Cook	Ship's catering rating	Catering rating course (SKM)	ALAM's catering rating programme is 12 months at the academy plus 3 months of industrial training. Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Catering Rating No seafarer under 18 may work as a ship's cook. Source: ILO, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (as amended)

All seafarers must complete safety familiarization and basic training under STCW VI/1.
Source: IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (2010): Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention
A medical certificate from a Marine Department approved medical practitioner.
Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Nautical Studies
Registration as a seafarer in SDPx.
Source: Marine Department Malaysia: Seafarer Documentation System (SDPx)

Rating courses at ALAM take 6 months.
Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Engine Ratings
In 2026 the nautical diploma intake registered on 26 March and classes began on 30 March.
Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): 2026 Academic Programme Intake
In 2026 the marine engineering diploma intake registered on 13 June and classes began on 22 June.
Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): 2026 Academic Programme Intake

Use only manning agencies on the Marine Department's list of recognised seafarer supply agencies.
Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Recognised seafarer supply (manning) agencies, June 2026
Malaysian certificates of competency, recognition and watchkeeping rating can be verified online in SDPx.
Source: Marine Department Malaysia: Seafarer Documentation System (SDPx)
Check that the training institute and course are on the Marine Department's accredited list.
Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia (Marine Department Malaysia): Pelaut (Seafarers)
Under the MLC 2006, recruitment and placement fees must not be charged to the seafarer.
Source: ILO, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (as amended)