Seafarers’ education is always a combination of formal education and short-learning courses. During their navigational experience, seafarers on board sophisticated ships participate in numerous courses required by shipping companies. The number of such short-learning courses and their contents differ not only in relation to different types of vessels but also with regard to the same type of vessel owned by the particular companies. Outcomes, contents and duration of these courses are often unknown. The main goal of this research is to develop methodology for assessing and monitoring current situation and future needs of the maritime industry with regard to the short-learning courses. The research activities in this paper refer to number, type and time frame of additional courses in maritime industry needed to perform various duties on board LNG carriers, tankers and cruise ships. In order to collect data about additional short-courses for the seafarers, a specific seafarers’ form has been created. This focused on data about seafarers’ level of education, nationality, rank and vessel type, STCW certificates, additional non-STCW certificates, and online courses required by their shipping companies. Since the competencies acquired through such courses are unknown, the results of the research will serve to develop methodology for their recognition and validation.