The International Association of Maritime Security Professionals (the Association) offers online training as part of its core efforts to improve capacity within the maritime security space. This effort is organized into three categories:

  • Core training that seeks to communicate the Association’s principles and practices to its members.
  • Industry training that seeks to develop skills and capabilities amongst those working in the maritime security space.
  • Education that seeks to build an understanding of various maritime security conditions and concepts.

 

The Renewal Project

The Association has undertaken the major project of updating its training and education offerings over the 2024 / 2025 years. This decision was based on the significant number of geopolitical, regulatory, technological, and climate-related changes that have affected the industry. The Association’s focus remains on ensuring that its training and educational offerings remain relevant in today’s operating space.

To this end, the Association has established the following timetable under the oversight of the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) reporting to the Association’s Executive:

  • 2024 (06/30): Operational readiness of the Association’s courses under the Professional Certificate in Maritime Security offered with Acadia University.
  • 2024 (08/30) -Initial offering for wider consultation on the Certified Maritime Security Professional (CMSP).
  • 2024 (10/30) – Initial offering of Integrating Security into Maritime Infrastructure and Shipbuilding.
  • 2024 (12/30) – Initial offering of Harmonized Threat and Risk Assessment
  • 2025 (02/28) – Final revision of the Certified Maritime Security Professional (CMSP)
  • 2025 (04/30) – Final revision of the Integrating Security into Maritime Infrastructure and Shipbuilding.
  • 2025 (06/30) – Final revision of Harmonized Threat and Risk Assessment.
  • 2025 (08/30)—Core courses for Duty of Care, Value and Ethics, and Maritime Law will be updated.
  • 2025 (10/30) – Updating of intermodal courses and supply chain.
  • 2025 (12/30) – Publishing of the updated syllabus.

Once the initial drafts have been completed, members in good standing who have previously taken these courses will be contacted to advise them of the updated material. This maintains the Association’s efforts to keep its members’ previous efforts relevant in light of today’s challenges.

 

Course Structure

Core courses consist of presentations and user guides. Available through the Association’s eLearning platform, these can be downloaded by members in good standing. These generally consist of between 30 slides to 50 slides per presentation and 10 pages to 20 pages per reference.

Industry Training and Education courses are delivered using a hybrid model. Each course generally consists of between four to eight modules consisting (organized by weeks) of approximately thirty to fifty slides. These presentations are supported by user guides that may range from 10 pages to up to 200 pages, depending on the course or program. Given the nature of these programs, each course is offered using an asynchrous hybrid model. Candidates have the opportunity to communicate directly with their instructors to work through materials covered in the modules.

 

Technological Improvement Effort

The Association made a decision in 2015 to ensure that technology would not become the limiting factor for much of its potential members. Seafarers and participants from Least Developed Countries (as per the United Nations’ definition) have faced significant challenges in the past with respect to connectivity and the availability of technology. For this reason, the Association maintains at least a copy of its courses in downloadable format so that those facing these challenges have access to the material.

As we have seen improvements in connectivity and technological resources, the Association has taken the decision to look at improving its own capacity to deliver more advanced kinds of courses. This project, expected to move into its final design and implementation phase in 2026 will see the Association’s eLearning platform migrated to a new capability and an expanded use of technology. Further details will be made available as they become available and the project moves forward.