How to become a seafarer in Indonesia

Choose your path

What both paths have in common

• The seafarer's book (Buku Pelaut) is applied for online through the seafarer documents portal of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation.
  Source: Ditjen Perhubungan Laut, KSOP Tanjung Priok: SOP Penerbitan Buku Pelaut Online (2023)
• A Buku Pelaut application needs a Basic Safety Training (BST) certificate and a general school diploma.
  Source: Ditjen Perhubungan Laut, KSOP Utama Belawan: Standar Pelayanan Penerbitan Buku Pelaut
• A health certificate from an approved partner hospital is required for the Buku Pelaut.
  Source: Ditjen Perhubungan Laut, KSOP Utama Belawan: Standar Pelayanan Penerbitan Buku Pelaut
• The seafarer documents portal publishes the list of hospitals and clinics for seafarer health certificates.
  Source: Ditjen Perhubungan Laut: Dokumen Pelaut portal
• All seafarers must complete safety familiarization and basic training under STCW VI/1.
  Source: IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (2010): Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention
• Under the MLC 2006, no person under 16 may work on board a ship.
  Source: ILO, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (as amended)

Beware of scams

• Only recruitment agencies licensed by the Ministry of Transportation may recruit and place seafarers.
  Source: ILO: The alignment of Indonesian laws, policies, and their enforcement with the ILO international labour standards on forced labour
• The seafarer documents portal publishes the list of licensed crew agencies (SIUKAK) with their status; check an agency there before any payment.
  Source: Ditjen Perhubungan Laut: Dokumen Pelaut portal
• Under the MLC 2006, recruitment fees must not be charged to seafarers.
  Source: ILO, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (as amended)
• Applicants to the Ministry's schools are disqualified if they use forged identity or documents.
  Source: BPSDM Perhubungan, Pengumuman PG-BPSDMP 1 Tahun 2025: Penerimaan Calon Taruna Pola Pembibitan, Tahun Akademik 2025/2026

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