Marlins Training
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Marlins Training firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Marlins Training industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Marlins Training is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Marlins Training business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- English Language Testing: Fees collected from seafarers taking Marlins English language tests and STCW Security Tests through the online platform or approved test centres
- 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
Marlins Training product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Marlins Training
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Marlins Training technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Marlins Training partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Ocean Technologies GroupcoreMarlins 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
Marlins Training competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Marlins Training social profiles
Digital presenceMarlins Training compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Marlins Training financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Marlins Training leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Marlins Training funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Marlins Training M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Marlins Training
What does Marlins Training do?
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.
Is Marlins Training a public or private company?
Marlins Training is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Marlins Training founded?
Marlins Training was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Marlins Training based?
Marlins Training is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Marlins Training make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. English Language Testing is the primary driver. The others are E-learning Course Sales.
Who are Marlins Training's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Seagull Maritime, Videotel and Safebridge. Broad incumbents are Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy, Kongsberg Maritime Training and Maersk Training. Emerging players are VSTEP, Marine Learning Systems and ECDIS Ltd. OneOcean (Ocean Technologies Group) is listed as an others.
Does Marlins Training have an API?
No public API is recorded for Marlins Training.
What industry is Marlins Training in?
Marlins Training's product category is Maritime Training and Certification. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOANAD, Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS), with a secondary code of TLAHANAF, Maritime Safety Management Systems & Training (ISM/ISO 45001, Drills, Competency). Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.