Marlins Training

What Marlins Training does

Marlins Training, established in 1994 and headquartered in London, provides maritime English language testing, assessment, and e-learning solutions to the global shipping, cruise, yacht, and offshore industries. The company's core offering centres on the Marlins Test Platform (marlinstests.com), which delivers standardised English Language Tests and STCW Security Tests for seafarers seeking certification, including the Test of Spoken English (TOSE) for oral proficiency assessment. Marlins also offers a catalogue of interactive SCORM-compliant e-learning courses covering STCW-mandated security training, crisis management, tanker operations, and vessel-specific training, which can be integrated with client Learning Management Systems or hosted via Marlins' own LMS. The company holds flag state approvals from the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), Isle of Man, and Liberia for its STCW Security Training courses.

Marlins generates revenue through two primary streams: recurring fees from seafarers taking English language and STCW Security Tests through the online platform or Approved Test Centres, and one-time course sales for individual and bulk e-learning purchases. Products are distributed through the Marlins Test Platform (self-serve), the Ocean Technologies Group online shop (B2B/B2C e-commerce), and a global network of 207 Approved Test Centres across 48 countries. Marlins serves five primary customer verticals: Ship Management Companies (for MCA certification compliance), Cruise Industry (for STCW security compliance), Marine Leisure and Superyacht operators, Offshore Energy Sector, and Commercial Shipping. The company operates a sales-led B2B go-to-market targeting shipping companies and crew operators, complemented by B2C test-taking by individual seafarers. Marlins functions as a subsidiary brand within Ocean Technologies Group, maintaining its own website, test platform, and approved test centre network alongside other maritime learning brands in the parent group's portfolio.

Name

Marlins Training

Legal name

Marlins

Website

https://marlins.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Marlins Training provides maritime English language testing, STCW security training, and SCORM-compliant e-learning courses to seafarers and shipping, cruise, yacht, and offshore operators worldwide. Founded in 1994, it operates a test platform and 207 Approved Test Centres across 48 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Training and Certification

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS) (EDAOANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime Safety Management Systems & Training (ISM/ISO 45001, Drills, Competency) (TLAHANAF), Maritime Security Training & Drills (ISPS, Crew Training) (BPAKALAG)

Keywords

• Maritime English testing
• STCW compliance training
• Seafarer certification
• Maritime e-learning
• Crew training solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. English Language Testing: Fees collected from seafarers taking Marlins English language tests and STCW Security Tests through the online platform or approved test centres
2. E-learning Course Sales: Sale of individual and bulk e-learning courses for STCW compliance, tanker training, security training, and other maritime certifications through the Ocean Technologies Group shop

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Marlins Training provides maritime English language testing, STCW security training, and a catalogue of SCORM-compliant e-learning courses to the shipping, cruise, yacht, and offshore industries. Founded in 1994, the company operates the Marlins Test Platform (online English proficiency and STCW Security tests) and delivers interactive e-learning through its own LMS or client LMS systems, supported by a global network of 207 Approved Test Centres across 48 countries.

Product overview

Marlins Training is a maritime English language testing, recruitment, and e-learning solutions provider for the shipping, cruise, yacht, and offshore industries. Established in 1994 and now part of Ocean Technologies Group, the company offers a unified portfolio centered on its Marlins Test Platform for English and STCW Security testing, complemented by an extensive catalogue of STCW-compliant e-learning courses covering security training, crisis management, tanker operations, and vessel-specific training. These products and services are delivered through a global network of 207 Approved Test Centres across 48 countries and via SCORM-compliant content for client LMS systems. The core offering combines standardized English proficiency testing (including Marlins English Tests and the Test of Spoken English) with regulatory-compliant maritime training courses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Marlins Test Platform: Online platform for taking or buying English Language Tests and STCW Security Tests
• Marlins Test of Spoken English (TOSE)
• Ocean Shop

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Ocean Technologies GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarlins operates as part of the Ocean Technologies Group, offering maritime training courses alongside other world-leading maritime learning brands through a consolidated online shop platform. This affiliation enables cross-selling opportunities and a unified training solution ecosystem.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Seagull Maritime: Sister brand under Ocean Technologies Group offering maritime e-learning, onboard training and competence management. Directly comparable in product portfolio, customer base (shipowners, crewing), and SCORM-based delivery model, with overlap in STCW compliance courses.
• Videotel: Sister brand under Ocean Technologies Group producing maritime training films and e-learning. Overlaps with Marlins on STCW-mandated safety, security and operational training for seafarers, serving the same shipping and offshore customer base.
• Safebridge: Independent maritime e-learning and competency management provider covering STCW, tanker and navigation courses. Directly competes with Marlins for shipowner and crewing agency training budgets through online delivery and certification pathways.

Broad incumbents

• Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy: Training arm of Wärtsilä delivering maritime and engine-room training, including simulation-based and STCW-aligned courses. Comparable in serving maritime customers but anchored in physical/simulation delivery and OEM-tied content.
• Kongsberg Maritime Training: Division of Kongsberg providing maritime simulation, navigation and offshore training using proprietary simulators. Overlaps with Marlins in STCW-aligned competency development, though differentiated by simulation-heavy delivery.
• Maersk Training: Training provider affiliated with Maersk offering STCW, offshore safety and crane/operator courses globally. Comparable in targeting shipping, offshore and energy sectors with regulated maritime training, though portfolio is broader and more physical-delivery heavy.

Emerging players

• VSTEP: Simulation technology provider whose maritime products (e.g., NAUTIS) support STCW-aligned bridge resource and navigation training. Adjacent to Marlins' classroom/e-learning model but increasingly intersecting on competency assessment and STCW delivery.
• Marine Learning Systems: Maritime-specific LMS and crew competence management platform serving shipowners and training providers. Comparable in serving maritime compliance workflows and integrating with content providers, though focused on the platform layer rather than content authorship.
• ECDIS Ltd: Specialist maritime training provider offering ECDIS, navigation and STCW-mandated courses with flag-approved status. Directly overlaps with Marlins in regulated STCW e-learning for navigation and watchkeeping officers.

Others

• OneOcean (Ocean Technologies Group): Parent platform of Marlins, Seagull and Videotel offering integrated maritime compliance, navigation and training solutions. Comparable as the overarching ecosystem within which Marlins operates and through which its courses are distributed.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/marlinsuk
• Facebookfacebook.com/MarlinsUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marlins

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Marlins Training