Certified Training Provider

Virtual Maritime Academy is a DNV Certified Maritime Training Provider, demonstrating our commitment to delivering high-quality maritime education that meets internationally recognized standards for training excellence.

Our courses are developed by experienced maritime professionals and are designed to provide practical, competency-based training for today’s maritime industry. Upon successful completion, participants receive a certificate issued by Virtual Maritime Academy, recognized worldwide as evidence of professional development and auditing competence.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for maritime professionals responsible for implementing, monitoring, auditing, and improving compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), including:

• Lead Auditors and Internal Auditors
• Designated Persons Ashore (DPAs)
• Masters
• Chief Officers
• Chief Engineers
• Shipboard Officers
• Marine Superintendents
• Technical Superintendents
• Fleet Managers
• Crewing Managers
• HSQE Managers
• Quality, Safety and Environmental Managers
• Compliance Managers
• Maritime Labour and Human Resources Personnel
• Flag State, Port State and Company Personnel responsible for MLC compliance
• Maritime Consultants
• Anyone seeking to become a competent MLC Lead Internal Auditor

Standards, Regulations and Guidance Covered

This course provides comprehensive training on auditing maritime labour compliance using internationally recognized auditing principles and the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention, including:

• ISO 19011:2026 – Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems
• Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), as amended
• ILO Guidelines and guidance related to the implementation and inspection of the MLC
• Relevant ILO amendments, resolutions, circulars, and guidance affecting maritime labour compliance

The course covers the complete audit process for both shipboard and shore-based activities, enabling participants to effectively evaluate an organization’s compliance with all applicable MLC requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the auditing principles and guidance contained in ISO 19011:2026.
• Plan, manage, lead, conduct, report, and follow up MLC Internal Audits.
• Develop and manage risk-based audit programmes.
• Audit shipboard and shore-based operations for compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention.
• Evaluate company policies, procedures, and implementation of MLC requirements.
• Assess compliance with all five Titles of the Maritime Labour Convention.
• Apply risk-based auditing techniques during maritime labour audits.
• Collect, verify, and evaluate objective evidence using internationally recognized auditing methods.
• Conduct professional interviews with seafarers and shore-based personnel.
• Identify, classify, and report non-conformities, observations, and opportunities for improvement.
• Verify corrective actions and continual improvement activities.
• Demonstrate the competence and professional behaviour expected of an MLC Lead Internal Auditor.

Assessment

Each chapter concludes with a short multiple-choice quiz to reinforce key learning objectives.

To successfully complete the course, participants must pass the online Final Assessment with a minimum score of 70%.

The Final Assessment is conducted under live online remote proctoring to ensure the integrity and credibility of the certification process. Participants must use a desktop or laptop computer equipped with a webcam, microphone, and a reliable internet connection.

Final Assessment Technical Requirements

Device

• Desktop or laptop computer
• Webcam and microphone required
• Tablets, smartphones, and Chromebooks are not supported

Operating System

• Windows 10 or later
• macOS 11 or later

Web Browser

• Google Chrome (latest version recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox (latest version recommended)

Internet Connection

• Minimum 3 Mbps upload and download speed

Hardware

• Minimum 8 GB RAM
• Functional webcam
• Microphone and speakers or headset

Course Duration

The course consists of approximately 20 hours of self-paced online training.

Participants may access the course at any time during their enrolment period and progress through the material at their own pace, allowing them to start, pause, and resume their studies whenever convenient.

Delivery Method

This course is delivered 100% online through our interactive learning platform.

There are no classroom attendance requirements, allowing participants to complete the training from anywhere in the world at a time that suits their schedule.

Student Identity Verification

To maintain the integrity of the certification process and comply with the requirements of our DNV Certification, all participants must complete a student identity verification process by submitting a valid government-issued photo identification before taking the Final Assessment.

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the course and Final Assessment, participants will receive:

• A professionally issued Virtual Maritime Academy Certificate of Completion.
• A digital certificate delivered by email.
• A hard-copy certificate mailed worldwide at no additional cost.

The certificate confirms successful completion of the MLC Lead Internal Auditor Course developed and delivered under the Virtual Maritime Academy’s DNV Certified Maritime Training Management System.

Competencies Achieved

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to independently:

• Plan, organize, and lead MLC Internal Audits.
• Develop audit programmes, audit plans, and audit checklists.
• Conduct opening and closing meetings.
• Audit compliance with all five Titles of the Maritime Labour Convention.
• Audit both shipboard operations and shore-based management systems.
• Evaluate company procedures, documentation, and implementation of MLC requirements.
• Assess compliance with international labour standards applicable to seafarers.
• Gather, verify, and evaluate objective evidence.
• Conduct effective interviews with seafarers, Masters, senior officers, and shore-based personnel.
• Identify conformity, non-conformity, observations, and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare professional audit reports and audit findings.
• Verify corrective actions and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Support continual improvement of maritime labour compliance through effective auditing.
• Lead internal audit teams using the guidance and principles of ISO 19011:2026.

Download the Course Syllabus Here!

Revision 5, 2026