The mandatory STCW certificate required for any officer designated as Ship Security Officer aboard a vessel subject to the ISPS Code. Governed by STCW Regulation VI/5 and underpinned by IMO Model Course 3.19.
The Ship Security Officer (SSO) certificate is a mandatory STCW qualification required for any officer who is designated to carry out SSO duties aboard a vessel that falls within the scope of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. It is regulated under STCW Regulation VI/5 and the associated competence standards set out in STCW Code Section A-VI/5.
The syllabus is based on IMO Model Course 3.19 and covers the full range of duties an SSO is required to perform: developing, implementing and maintaining the Ship Security Plan (SSP); conducting security assessments and drills; identifying and responding to security threats; liaising with Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs); and ensuring the vessel meets its obligations under the ISPS Code at all times.
The course is delivered over approximately three days in a classroom setting. UK providers must hold MCA approval to issue certificates recognised under the UK flag. On completion, the certificate is issued by the relevant flag state administration (in the UK, the MCA). The certificate itself does not carry an expiry date, but MCA guidance requires revalidation every five years to confirm continued competency.
The SSO certificate is a designated-role qualification rather than a rank-progression certificate. It is typically held by a senior officer such as the Chief Officer or Master, who is formally appointed as the vessel's Ship Security Officer. Holding the certificate demonstrates compliance with ISPS Code requirements and is increasingly expected by shipping companies and flag states for senior officer positions on vessels trading internationally.
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