Ship Safe Training Group

What Ship Safe Training Group does

Ship Safe Training Group (SSTG), founded in 1978 and headquartered in Rochester, Kent, is a private not-for-profit company that provides recruitment, training, and sponsorship management services for new entrant Officer Cadets (Deck, Engineer, and Electro-Technical Officer) in the UK Merchant Navy. SSTG operates as an intermediary between individual career-seekers and a membership base of 20+ UK shipping companies, running three core 3-year sandwich programmes that alternate between college-based study at one of five UK nautical colleges (Warsash Maritime School, Fleetwood Nautical College, South Shields Marine School, City of Glasgow College, and Plymouth/Humber Maritime College) and supervised sea service phases on member company vessels operating worldwide. All training programmes are approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB), and successful completion leads to an MCA-issued Unlimited Certificate of Competency.

The business model is membership- and grant-funded rather than venture- or equity-backed. SSTG collects fees and contributions from member shipping companies for cadet training management, administers UK Department for Transport grant funding on behalf of eligible EEA-resident candidates, and offers additional consultancy and advanced training services for qualified seafarers progressing to Chief Mate, Master, Second Engineer, and Chief Engineer certifications. Proprietary technology consists of a Cadet Training Management System that tracks candidate progression against MNTB-approved Training Record Books, and a 9-step online application portal that allows candidates to save and resume applications within 30 days.

Day-to-day operations are led by Managing Director Ian Spreadborough (appointed April 2006, joined SSTG 1990) supported by a team of 8 full-time staff covering recruitment, training management, accounts, marketing, and per-college Training Officer liaison. The company holds Associate Membership in the UK Chamber of Shipping and IAIMI, and maintains working relationships with MEF, NMDG, IMarEST, HCMM, and The Nautical Institute. Recent strategic activity has centred on broadening the sponsorship base via a September 2024 WISTA UK / MEF joint venture and adding new member companies such as Cadeler UK in the offshore wind segment.

Name

Ship Safe Training Group

Legal name

Ship Safe Training Group Ltd

Website

https://sstg.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ship Safe Training Group (SSTG) is a UK not-for-profit founded in 1978 that recruits, sponsors, and trains Merchant Navy Officer Cadets (Deck, Engineer, and ETO) for a membership of 20+ shipping companies via five UK nautical colleges and MCA/MNTB-approved 3-year programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Training Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (488390)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Engineering & Engine Room Operations (EDAOANAB), Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS) (EDAOANAD)

Keywords

• Maritime officer training
• Merchant navy recruitment
• Cadet training programmes
• Seafarer certification services
• Marine education sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Training Services for Shipping Companies: SSTG is a not-for-profit company that provides comprehensive recruitment, training and support services for shipping companies. Revenue appears to come from member company fees for cadet training management services, grant funding claims services, and consultancy services.
2. Government Grant Funding: SSTG works with the Department for Transport and their agents who are responsible for the administration of grant funding which provides a measure of financial support that partly funds the training being undertaken.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SSTG recruits and trains Merchant Navy officer cadets (Deck, Engineer, and Electro-Technical Officers) on behalf of its member UK shipping companies, managing the full lifecycle from initial selection and college placement through sea service to MCA-issued Certificate of Competency. The organisation provides financial sponsorship (tuition fees plus monthly allowance), coordinates college education at five UK nautical institutions, oversees structured sea-service phases aboard member vessels, and delivers ongoing welfare and career support. It also administers Department for Transport grant funding claims for eligible candidates.

Product overview

Ship Safe Training Group (SSTG) is a not-for-profit maritime training organization established in 1978, providing comprehensive recruitment and training services for the British Merchant Navy. The organization operates a unified training platform comprising three core cadet programmes (Deck Officer, Engineer Officer, and Electro-Technical Officer), supported by sponsorship management, advanced certification pathways, and cadet support services. The training model alternates between college-based study at UK nautical institutions and sea service phases aboard member company vessels, culminating in MCA-issued Certificates of Competency qualifying graduates to serve on vessels trading worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Deck Officer Cadet Training Programme A 3-year sandwich training programme preparing candidates to become Deck Officers in the Merchant Navy, combining college studies in Nautical Science with sea service phases aboard member shipping company vessels, and leading to an MCA-issued unlimited Certificate of Competency.
• Engineer Officer Cadet Training Programme A 3-year training programme qualifying candidates as Engineer Officers responsible for main engines and ancillary mechanical systems aboard Merchant Navy vessels, blending college study at UK nautical institutions with sea service phases.
• Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) Cadet Training Programme A 3-year sandwich programme qualifying candidates as Electro-Technical Officers responsible for electronic control systems aboard modern ships, addressing the growing need for ETOs on vessels with advanced electrical and electronic systems.
• Advanced Training for Seafarers Professional development programmes for qualified seafarers seeking higher certifications, including progression to Chief Mate, Master, Second Engineer, and Chief Engineer qualifications.
• SSTG Sponsorship Programme Financial sponsorship and training management services for Officer Cadets, including monthly allowances, college fee support, and sea service coordination with member shipping companies.
• Certificate of Competency (CoC) Services Preparation and support services for obtaining MCA-issued Certificates of Competency, enabling graduates to work as Deck, Engineer, or ETO Officers in the British Merchant Navy on any size vessel worldwide.
• Cadet Support Services Ongoing cadet welfare and administration including assigned Training Officer guidance, college phase monitoring, visa assistance, documentation management (Discharge Book), and personal welfare support throughout training.

Quantifiable outcome

• All SSTG sponsorship opportunities lead to the award of an Unlimited CoC allowing cadets to work on any size vessel trading anywhere in the world

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAIMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSTG is an associate member of IAIMI, an organisation that represents colleges and other maritime training organisations.
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSTG works closely with the MCA in the delivery of training programmes. All SSTG training programmes are MCA/MNTB approved.
• Maritime Educational Foundation (MEF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSTG works closely with the MEF who annually sponsor a core of 40 Officer Trainees. MEF also has a joint venture initiative with WISTA UK for sponsorship of up to three candidates commencing September 2024.
• National Maritime Development Group (NMDG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSTG is a member of the NMDG that works with business development in the maritime sector.
• Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSTG supports the MNTB in its core activities. Ian Spreadborough, SSTG Managing Director, is a member of its Technical Committee. All SSTG cadet training programmes follow MNTB/MCA approved training programmes.
• UK Chamber of ShippingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSTG is an Associate Member of the UK Chamber of Shipping, the leading trade association for the UK shipping industry.
• WISTA UK (Women's International Shipping & Trading Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWISTA UK joint venture initiative with Maritime Educational Foundation for sponsorship of up to three candidates to train and qualify as Merchant Navy Officers commencing September 2024. Candidates must support WISTA UK aims and attend WISTA UK events throughout training.
• UK Nautical Colleges NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSTG is affiliated with key maritime training providers throughout the UK including Warsash Maritime School, Fleetwood Nautical College, South Shields Marine School, City of Glasgow College, and Plymouth/Humber Maritime College, ensuring high standard of training in well-equipped and accessible centres.
• Department for TransportcoreOthersSSTG facilitates the Department for Transport grant funding which provides financial support that partly funds the cadet training being undertaken. SSTG checks candidate eligibility for grant funding.
• Institute of Marine Engineering Science & Technology (IMarEST)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSTG provides easy sign-up to IMarEST for trainees. The institute provides professional development resources, library access, and career guidance for marine professionals.
• The Nautical InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational representative body for maritime professionals providing networking opportunities, technical meetings, seminars and professional development assistance. SSTG cadets have access to these resources.
• The Honourable Company of Master Mariners (HCMM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1926, HCMM provides access to broad range of resources and mentorship for cadet members. Professional body drawing on experience of members serving on broad range of vessels.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• UK Chamber of Shipping: The leading UK shipping industry trade association, of which SSTG is an Associate Member. Industry body rather than a direct training competitor, but coordinates maritime skills policy that affects SSTG's operating environment.
• Seafarers UK: UK maritime charity funding seafarer welfare, training and recruitment initiatives. Operates in the same ecosystem as SSTG and supports similar skills-development outcomes.
• Marine Society & Sea Cadets: Long-established UK maritime charity promoting seafarer careers through education bursaries and youth programmes. A funder and awareness-raiser for the maritime sector rather than a direct cadet training provider.
• Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB): UK industry-led body that sets and approves standards for seafarer training programmes. SSTG Managing Director sits on its Technical Committee. Functions as the regulatory standard-setter for SSTG and peers rather than a direct competitor.
• Maritime Educational Foundation (MEF): Charitable foundation that annually sponsors a core of 40 Officer Trainees via SSTG. Acts as a funding partner rather than a training competitor, but could in principle sponsor cadets through alternative colleges.
• Trinity House: UK General Lighthouse Authority with deep involvement in maritime training, including cadet bursaries and lighthouse/ship navigation training. Adjacent rather than direct competitor, but influences the UK seafarer training landscape.

Direct peers

• Warsash Maritime School (Solent University): One of SSTG's five partner nautical colleges and the most prominent UK maritime training institution, delivering MNTB/MCA-approved Deck, Engineer and ETO cadet programmes. Operates as both a partner (delivering college phases for SSTG cadets) and a potential competitor (running direct cadet sponsorship programmes).
• South Shields Marine School (Newcastle University): UK maritime training college partnered with SSTG for college-phase delivery. Provides MNTB-approved officer cadet programmes and competes with SSTG for direct cadet sponsorship arrangements with shipping companies.
• Fleetwood Nautical College (Blackpool and The Fylde College): Historic UK maritime training college partnered with SSTG, delivering Deck and Engineer officer programmes. Operates an analogous cadet recruitment and training model in direct overlap with SSTG.
• City of Glasgow College Marine Department: Scotland's largest nautical college and an SSTG partner, offering MCA-approved cadet programmes across Deck, Engineer and ETO specialisms. Competes for UK and Scottish shipping company cadet sponsorship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Ship-Safe-Training-Group-Ltd-1700210830277092
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/5338275

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Ship Safe Training Group