MLC 2006 Regulation 3.2: Ship’s Cook Requirements

Last reviewed: 14 October 2026. This page explains the international MLC baseline. A ship’s flag state and the applicable national rules determine the precise route for a particular vessel and role.

The core rule

MLC 2006 Regulation 3.2 says that seafarers employed as ships’ cooks with responsibility for food preparation must be trained and qualified for their position on board ship. Its purpose is to ensure that seafarers have good-quality food and drinking water under regulated hygienic conditions.

What a recognised cook course must cover

Standard A3.2 requires the national rules for a ships’ cook to include a course approved or recognised by the competent authority. The course must cover practical cookery, food and personal hygiene, food storage, stock control, environmental protection, and catering health and safety.

Catering staff and the ten-person threshold

The Convention distinguishes between a qualified ships’ cook and other catering staff. Catering staff must be properly trained or instructed for their role. On a ship with prescribed manning of fewer than ten people, the competent authority may decide that a fully qualified cook is not required; in that case, anyone handling food in the galley must still be trained or instructed in hygiene and food handling and storage.

What MLC does not decide on its own

MLC sets the international baseline. It does not prescribe one worldwide job title, one identical certificate route for every flag, or an identical number of qualified cooks on every ship. Those decisions are made through the relevant flag state’s laws, manning rules and application process.

How Cook’s Ticket fits the Danish route

Cook’s Ticket, operated by Rasborg ApS, provides recognised digital training and assessment for ship’s cooks. Candidates who pass receive a Cook’s Ticket Certificate of Completion. They can then apply separately to the Danish Maritime Authority for the official Danish Ship’s Cook Certificate. Cook’s Ticket does not issue or guarantee the official certificate.

Read provider facts and verification →

Primary source

Read Regulation 3.2 and Standard A3.2 in the International Labour Organization’s official MLC text.

Open the ILO MLC 2006 text →