Captain's Brief · Officer career · 22 min read · Oct 1, 2026

39,100 Officers Short: Why 2026 Is the Year to Start Your Move From Rating to Officer

The world's merchant fleet is short of officers, and it has more ratings than it needs. That is the headline finding of the Seafarer Workforce Report 2026 from BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), published on 25 June 2026. For a Filipino AB, OS, Oiler, Wiper or Fitter, the report's message is plain: officers are getting harder to find, while ratings face more competition for each berth.

This guide explains what the report found, how a rating becomes a third officer or a third or fourth engineer under the STCW Convention and MARINA's rules, what it costs, where funding is available, and how long it really takes. We checked every fact against official sources (BIMCO/ICS, the IMO, MARINA, CHED, OWWA and the ILO) on 1 October 2026.

Quick answer: In the Philippines, sea time as a rating does not lead to an officer's licence on its own. MARINA requires a BSMT degree (deck) or a BSMarE degree (engine) plus either 12 months as a cadet (recorded in a Training Record Book) or 36 months as a rating (for engine: at least 30 months at sea plus 6 months of workshop skills training). Then you pass MARINA's theoretical exam (₱1,000) and a practical assessment, hold the required safety certificates, and apply for your Certificate of Competency (₱530). Already have the degree and are sailing as a rating? You may be closer than you think. No degree yet? The path takes years, so 2026 is the year to start.

What the report says

	2021	2026	What changed
Officers needed (demand)	883,780	1,088,080	+23.1%
Officers available (supply)	857,540	1,048,980	about +22%
Officer balance	26,240 short	39,100 short	Shortage grew
Ratings needed (demand)	997,540	1,459,710	+46.3%
Ratings available (supply)	1,035,180	1,516,600	about +47%
Ratings balance	37,640 surplus	56,890 surplus	Surplus grew

Source: BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, Executive Summary (June 2026), and BIMCO press release (25 June 2026).

More findings from the report:

22,747 new officers a year. That is how many extra officers must join the workforce every year until 2030 (about 2% a year) to meet the forecast demand. For ratings, the figure is 8,475 a year.
The gap is widening on both sides. The report calls it a "K-shaped" result: the officer shortage has grown while the rating surplus has grown too.
Officers are harder to hire. Companies reported the most difficulty recruiting engineering officers and deck officers. They said ratings were easier to recruit.
The Philippines is number one. The Philippines is the largest supplier country, with an estimated 203,179 officers and 256,968 ratings. Companies named Filipinos as the top nationality for officers, for ratings, and overall.

The free Executive Summary does not give a separate shortage or surplus figure for the Philippines, so we don't quote one.

Why this matters for Filipino ratings

More competition for rating jobs. A surplus of 56,890 ratings worldwide means more people chasing the same berths.
Officers are in demand. The shortage of 39,100 officers is the largest in the last three reports (16,500 in 2015, 26,240 in 2021). The report notes that the 2015 figures were calculated differently.
The pay step is real. On the ITF's minimum wage scale, a third officer or third engineer earns about US$469 a month more in basic pay than an AB (see the pay section below).
It takes time. The shortage is a reason to start planning now, not a promise of a job. Companies still hire officers on competence, record and fit.

Every officer starts on deck. The degree is what turns sea time into a CoC. (Illustration)

The rule most ratings miss: you need the degree

The international rule (STCW Regulation II/1 for deck, III/1 for engine) allows two kinds of sea time: 12 months of structured training recorded in a Training Record Book, or 36 months of approved seagoing service. It also requires "approved education and training".

In the Philippines, MARINA defines that education as a BSMT (deck) or BSMarE (engine) degree. Under MARINA Circulars SC-2021-03 (deck) and SC-2021-06 (engine), you need the degree and the sea time. The 36-month rating route is for graduates who sailed as ratings, for example BSMT graduates who couldn't find a cadet berth and joined as OS or AB. It is not a shortcut for ratings without a degree.

Sources: IMO, STCW Regulations II/1 and III/1 (2010 Manila amendments); MARINA MC SC-2021-03 Sec. 19.1; MC SC-2021-06 Sec. 19.1; MARINA Citizen's Charter 2026, Sec. H.3.1.

No degree yet? CHED stopped new enrolments in BSMT and BSMarE through ETEEAP (the work-experience equivalency program) in 2016, under CMO No. 37, s. 2016. We found no current rule that reopens it. That leaves enrolling in a recognised BSMT or BSMarE program as the way to the degree.

Deck path: AB to Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (3/O)

Step	What you need	Official detail
1. Degree	BSMT degree. You'll need your Transcript of Records (TOR) with a Special Order (SO) number or CAV	MC SC-2021-03, Annex A. Since 1 Jan 2026, MARINA (not CHED) issues SOs
2. Sea time	Either 12 months of structured onboard training as a deck cadet, recorded in an approved Training Record Book, or 36 months in the deck department as OS, AB, Bosun or another approved deck role, on ships of 500 GT or more	Includes at least 6 months of bridge watchkeeping under the Master or a qualified officer
3. Proof of sea time	Seaman's Book entries. Your manning agency must enter your sea service in MARINA's MISMO system within 3 working days of sign-off	If your job title isn't on MARINA's list, you also need a Certificate of Seagoing Service and job description attested by the company, a crew list signed by the Master, and your contract
4. Courses and certificates	Valid Basic Training, Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, Advanced Fire Fighting and Medical First Aid certificates. GMDSS Radio Operator course	If you started BSMT in school year 2012–2013 or earlier, you also need Updating Training for OIC-NW (Parts A and B)
5. Theoretical exam	Deck Operational Level exam. Apply online at online-appointment.marina.gov.ph	₱1,000. Pay within 24 hours of getting your reference number. Online evaluation can take 2–3 working days
6. Practical assessment	Deck Operational Level, at a MARINA-accredited assessment center	Fee set by the center (MARINA doesn't publish it)
7. GMDSS certificate	Pass the GMDSS theoretical exam and practical assessment, then get your General Operator's Certificate (GOC)	Required for the OIC-NW COC
8. COC application	Apply through MISMO with a valid PEME medical and a 2x2 photo with a 2-bar shoulder board	₱530 regular, ₱780 expedite or onboard

Sources: MARINA MC SC-2021-03 (23 Mar 2021), Sec. 3, 17, 19.1 and Annex A; MC SC-2022-02 (13 Apr 2022); MARINA Citizen's Charter 2026, Secs. H.2.3, H.2.4, H.3.1 and H.3.2.

Engine path: Oiler to Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (4/E or 3/E)

MARINA issues one certificate for this level: a COC as Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OIC-EW). Whether your company calls you 4/E or 3/E is its own rank title.

Step	What you need	Official detail
1. Degree	BSMarE degree, including workshop skills training. TOR with SO number or CAV	MC SC-2021-06, Sec. 19.1 and Annex A
2. Sea time	Either 12 months of structured onboard training as an engine cadet, recorded in an approved Training Record Book, or 36 months: at least 30 months at sea in the engine department as Wiper, Oiler, Fitter, Motorman, AB Engine or engine-watch rating, plus 6 months of workshop skills training	On ships of 750 kW propulsion power or more. Includes at least 6 months of engine-room watchkeeping under the Chief Engineer or a qualified engineer
3. Proof of sea time	Seaman's Book entries; Certificate of Seagoing Service and job description from the company or agency; crew list signed by the Master; approved contract	Your agency enters your sea service in MISMO
4. Courses and certificates	Valid Basic Training, Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, Advanced Fire Fighting and Medical First Aid certificates	If you started BSMarE in school year 2012–2013 or earlier, you also need Updating Training for OIC-EW
5. Theoretical exam	Engine Operational Level exam, applied for online	₱1,000
6. Practical assessment	Engine Operational Level, at a MARINA-accredited assessment center	Fee set by the center
7. COC application	Apply through MISMO with a valid PEME medical and a photo with a 2-bar shoulder board	₱530 regular, ₱780 expedite or onboard

Sources: MARINA MC SC-2021-06 (23 Mar 2021), Sec. 19.1 and Annex A; MC SC-2022-02; MARINA Citizen's Charter 2026, Secs. H.2.3 and H.3.1.

Costs and funding

MARINA fees (official)

Item	Fee	Source
Theoretical exam (deck or engine officer)	₱1,000	Citizen's Charter 2026, H.3.1
Resit of failed functions	₱1,000	Citizen's Charter 2026, H.3.3
Certificate of Competency (COC)	₱530 regular / ₱780 expedite or onboard	MC SC-2022-02; Charter H.2.3–H.2.4
Each Certificate of Proficiency (COP), for example Advanced Fire Fighting	₱130 regular / ₱330 expedite or onboard	MC SC-2022-02; Charter H.2.3
Practical assessment	Set by the accredited assessment center	Not published by MARINA
Training courses at private centers	Varies by school	Not published by MARINA

Fees include the ₱30 documentary stamp. Payment-center convenience fees are extra.

Funding help

OWWA Seafarers' Upgrading Program (SUP): up to ₱7,500 per upgrading course at an accredited maritime training center, for active OWWA members. One membership payment qualifies you the first time. After that, you need three recorded payments between uses. Apply at your OWWA Regional Welfare Office with the application form, two 2x2 photos, your Seaman's Book (SIRB) and passport, your membership record and your enrolment confirmation. The Notice of Award takes about 7 days. (OWWA Citizen's Charter 2025; owwa.gov.ph)
NMP free courses: since 3 August 2026, the National Maritime Polytechnic (a government agency under DMW) offers all 55 of its regular courses free, including STCW full, refresher and management-level courses. Active seafarers get first priority. Register at register.nmp.gov.ph. (PNA, 26 Jun 2026; Manila Times, 5 Aug 2026). We couldn't open NMP's own course list, so check there which courses you need.
Sponsored degrees and cadetships: academies and sponsor programs such as PMMA, MAAP, the NSA Cadet Program, NTMA, MMMA and IMEC are compared in our earlier Captain's Brief. Many have age and civil-status limits (for example, single applicants born 2004–2009), so check before you apply.
Your own company: ask your manning agency whether it runs a cadetship or sponsors officer upgrading, and read any bond or service agreement before you sign. We found no official list of such programs for serving ratings.
For families: OWWA's Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) gives ₱60,000 per school year to a qualified dependent of an active OWWA member who ranks in the top 1,000 of the DOST-SEI exam. (OWWA Citizen's Charter 2025)

The pay difference

Rank (ITF ILO minimum scale)	Basic pay from 1 Jan 2026	Basic pay from 1 Jan 2027
OS	US$513	US$524
AB / engine-room rating	US$690	US$704
Bosun	US$771	US$786
3rd Officer / 3rd Engineer	US$1,159	US$1,182

Sources: ILO, 16 Apr 2025 (AB minimum US$690 from 2026, US$704 from 2027, US$715 from 2028); ITF ILO Minimum Wage Scale, Annex 1 to ITF E-Circular 204/S/SS/2025.

These are minimum basic wages, not what most companies pay. The officer rates are the ITF's extrapolation of the ILO's AB figure; the ILO itself sets only the AB minimum. The scale doesn't list a 4th Engineer, and it doesn't name Oilers separately. Real pay depends on the company, ship type and collective agreement, so compare actual offers.

A realistic timeline

Your situation	What's left	How long
BSMT or BSMarE graduate, already sailing as a rating	Finish 36 months of approved sea time (engine: 30 months plus 6 months workshop training), including 6 months of supervised watchkeeping. Then courses, exam, practical assessment and COC	Depends on the sea time you already have. Count your Seaman's Book entries
Graduate with sea time complete	Courses, exam application (2–3 working days to evaluate), exam, practical assessment, GMDSS (deck), COC	Depends on course and exam slots. MARINA's own processing is quick once you've paid
Rating without a degree	Enrol in a recognised BSMT or BSMarE program. The rules describe "3-1" and "2-1-1" schemes (years in school and at sea), and onboard training is part of the degree. Then the exam steps above	Several years. Ask the school whether any of your past sea time can be credited. We found no official rule on this

We don't publish average waiting times because MARINA doesn't. Exam and assessment slots vary.

Common mistakes

Thinking 36 months as AB is enough. Without a BSMT or BSMarE degree, MARINA won't admit you to the officer exam.
Sea time missing from MISMO. Only records your agency has entered in MISMO count. Check your MISMO account after every contract.
No proof of supervised watchkeeping. You need at least 6 months of bridge or engine-room watchkeeping under supervision. Make sure your job description and sea-service certificate show it.
Expired certificates or medical. MARINA checks that your COPs and PEME medical are valid when you apply.
Missing deadlines. Exam fees must be paid within 24 hours of getting your reference number. If your COC application is rejected, you have one chance to fix it, within 30 days.
Fixers and unaccredited schools. MARINA treats dealing with fixers as fraud, and has warned the public against unauthorised training institutions (Advisory 2025-02). Train only at MARINA-accredited centers.
Signing a sponsorship without reading it. Check the service bond and what happens if you leave early.

Checklist

Check your education: do you have a BSMT or BSMarE TOR with an SO number? If not, research recognised programs.
Count your approved sea time in your Seaman's Book (ships of 500 GT or more for deck; 750 kW or more for engine).
Ask your agency for a Certificate of Seagoing Service and job description that show your watchkeeping duties.
Log in to MISMO and confirm that every contract is recorded.
Renew any expiring Basic Training, Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, Advanced Fire Fighting or Medical First Aid certificates. Deck: plan the GMDSS course.
Ask OWWA about SUP (up to ₱7,500 per course) and check NMP's free course schedule.
Get a PEME medical from a DOH-accredited clinic.
Apply for the theoretical exam at online-appointment.marina.gov.ph and pay within 24 hours.
Book your practical assessment at a MARINA-accredited center.
Apply for your COC through MISMO.

Studying for the exam? Sign up for a free Maritime Match seafarer account to get the Promotion Reviewer, a practice tool you can use alongside MARINA's own Competency Reviewer Portal.

FAQ

Can I become a third officer with only my sea time as an AB? Not in the Philippines. MARINA requires a BSMT degree plus the sea time. The same applies to engine officers, who need a BSMarE degree.

I'm a BSMT graduate but sailed as an AB because I couldn't get a cadet berth. Does that count? Yes. That's exactly what the 36-month route is for. You need 36 months in the deck department, including at least 6 months of supervised bridge watchkeeping.

Can I get the degree through ETEEAP? CHED stopped accepting new BSMT and BSMarE students under ETEEAP in 2016 (CMO No. 37, s. 2016). We found no newer rule that reopens it.

Is it 4/E or 3/E? MARINA issues one COC for this level: OIC-EW. Your company decides the rank title.

Does Fitter or Wiper time count for engine? MARINA's engine circular lists Wiper, Fitter, Oiler, Motorman and AB Engine for the 36-month route (at least 30 months at sea plus 6 months of workshop training). Deck Fitters should ask their agency to attest a job description, because the deck circular lists OS, AB and Bosun by name.

Does domestic sea time count? The rules require seagoing ships of 500 GT or more (deck) or 750 kW or more (engine). We couldn't confirm how MARINA treats domestic service, so ask MARINA before you count on it.

How much does the whole process cost? MARINA's own fees are ₱1,000 for the exam and ₱530 for the COC, plus ₱130 per COP. Training and assessment-center fees vary. A degree is the biggest cost for anyone who doesn't have one yet.

Is there an official reviewer? After MARINA approves your exam application, you get access to its Competency Reviewer Portal.

Will I definitely get hired as an officer? No one can promise that. The report shows strong demand for officers, but companies still choose based on competence and record.