"CONTEXT AND BACKGROUNDThe shipping industry is a key component of the global economy. It is regulated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the UN specialised agency for maritime affairs. Over 80% of reported accidents and incidents at sea and in ports are due to human errors and over 30% of these accidents are due to linguistic and communications mistakes. Language and communication are fundamental elements of the shipping sector, especially with Maritime English being the language of the sea. The IMO approved the newly revised Model Course 3.17 for Maritime English in January 2015. The IMO states that because educational systems and the cultural backgrounds of trainees in maritime subjects vary considerably from country to country, the model course material has been designed to identify the basic entry requirements and there are no mechanisms for controlling the variation of the output from such courses. To remove the acknowledged variation this project has set out to develop a new set of assessment and training standards for the IMO’s revised Model Course 3.17 for Maritime English and include the new categories of seafarers. A number of studies (OECD, 2010, European Commission, 2011 and BIMCO, 2005, 2010), have demonstrated there is an imbalance of seafarers in different EU countries. A reduction of this imbalance has been targeted with the development of a new set of assessment and training standards for Maritime English. OBJECTIVES AND UNDERTAKEN MAIN ACTIVITIESThe MariLANG project has had two major objectives. On the one hand, a universal Maritime English proficiency test has been developed to cater for the latest amendments promulgated by the IMO, and on the other hand a new language training platform has been implemented which allows language teachers and learners to use state-of-the-art technology to improve international cadets' language skills and communication capabilities. Further to these two main objectives, a book has been written by project partners which summarises all relevant findings in the project's work on Maritime English assessment and training activities.Language AssessmentMariLANG has undertaken to develop a universal Maritime English proficiency test which includes the five discrete language competencies of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and the Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP). For each of these competencies, task descriptors and specifications have been developed and validated, and a high number of test tasks have been written and piloted. The new assessment standard is in-line with the revised model course 3.17 Maritime English and linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This linkage ensures seafarers can learn and work throughout Europe, through the application of common content and assessment. This will help seafarers to be mobile, and have a better access to job opportunities and career progression across Europe and the world. Language TrainingThe language training platform has been developed to prepare language learners for the assessment tasks described above. The implemented Moodle platform includes a high number of training tasks and quizzes as an element of formative assessment. The platform also establishes a free portal for co-operative tasks and exchange of good practices.MariLANG bookThe project outcome has been disseminated by a number of activities including international conferences. These conferences were used to present the project and its results to the international target audience. The working papers presented at these conferences were modified and included in a book titled ""Establishing a universal assessment framework for Maritime English: The MariLANG project (Maritime English Language Training Standards)"". This book is published in paper form, but also freely available on the project homepage.PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONSThe MariLANG project was carried out by seven European partners from Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom (UK). Partners included a maritime vocational training school, maritime universities and research institutes with a specialisation in maritime affairs. All partner institutions had a considerable experience in language assessment and teaching and a keen interested in the project's objectives.RESULTS, IMPACT AND BENEFITSThe project's dissemination activities have demonstrated that a real need exists to standardise maritime language assessment and training further. Feedback from European and Asian maritime stakeholders has been positive throughout, with companies and state organisations showing an interest in integrating the project's results into their existing portfolio. The joint effort co-funded by the European Commission has created a strategic alliance between project participants, associated partners and interested third parties which is expected to have a lasting effect on seafarer assessment and training."