Maritime (MTEx)

Installation, inspection and maintenance of Ex electrical equipment for the Maritime Industry

This qualification has been developed in close consultation with maritime industry stakeholders to ensure that technicians and engineers working on gas-fuelled or low-flashpoint fuelled vessels are fully trained and assessed to work safely in hazardous areas.

The course content is aligned with key international standards and regulations:

• IEC 60079-14 & IEC 60079-17 (Installation & Inspection in explosive atmospheres)
• IEC 60092-502 (Electrical installations in tankers)
• IGF Code (International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or Low-flashpoint Fuels)

It is designed to ensure workers meet the safety and competence standards required for the design, installation, inspection, and maintenance of equipment on vessels using fuels such as LNG.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the classification and control of explosive atmospheres on ships
• Interpret and apply the IGF Code and IEC 60092-502
• Identify and manage risk in gas-fuelled vessel environments
• Select, install, and inspect Ex-certified electrical and instrumentation equipment
• Demonstrate knowledge of safe working practices on LNG and low-flashpoint fuel systems

Who Should Attend?

This qualification is ideal for:

• Electrical and instrumentation engineers and technicians working on vessels using gas or low-flashpoint fuels
• Personnel involved in the inspection, installation, testing, and maintenance of Ex equipment in marine hazardous areas
• Shipyard and offshore service engineers supporting LNG propulsion or bunkering systems
• Technicians on merchant/commercial vessels, including, LNG carriers, cruise ships, container ships, Tankers and bulk carriers

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates should be:

• Practicing, competent electrical or instrumentation technicians/engineers
• Familiar with hazardous area concepts and standards
• Ideally holders of prior CompEx certification
• Supported by an employer-sponsored letter where necessary

Course Details

Duration:

• Duration: 5 days
• 3 days guided learning (theory: 15–20 hours; practical: 4–6 hours)
• 2 days of assessment

Learning Format:

• Instructor-led theory and practical training
• Interactive demonstrations, certification interpretation, and safety briefings
• Assessment-focused exercises simulating real-world vessel scenarios

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, candidates will be able to:

• Identify relevant IEC standards, IGF codes, directives, national regulations and guidance relating to hazardous areas involving explosive gas atmospheres on vessels.
• Identify how explosive gas atmospheres on vessels are classified, including how the properties of gases and vapours influences the zones and their extent.
• Demonstrate knowledge of non-intrinsically safe and intrinsically safe types of protection, Ex certification and marking suitable for explosive gas atmospheres, including: Ex ‘d’ equipment, Ex ‘i’ and other relevant methods.
• Perform selection and installation of non-intrinsically safe and intrinsically safe equipment in accordance with IEC standards.
• Perform inspection and maintenance of non-intrinsically safe and intrinsically safe equipment using inspection tables in accordance with IEC standards.
• Accurately interpret documentation and test values for non-intrinsically safe and intrinsically safe equipment, ensuring compliance with safety requirements throughout installation, inspection, maintenance activities, including fault reporting.

Assessment Process

Online Theory Exam

• 60 multiple-choice questions
• Duration: 1.5 hours

Practical Assessments
Candidates will complete four separate practical assessments, one for each unit:

• Preparation and installation of Ex (IS and non-IS) equipment: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Inspection and maintenance of Ex (non-IS) equipment: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Maintenance and Repair of Ex (IS and non-IS) equipment: 2 hours
• Inspection and maintenance of Ex (IS) equipment: 1 hour 15 minutes

Certification

Successful candidates will receive the internationally recognised CompEx Certificate in Core Competence, valid for 5 years.