According to the data published by the International Maritime Organization, over 80% of maritime accidents are caused by human factors, and problems arising from intercultural communication among seafarers from different countries account for a large proportion of them. Multiple studies have shown that improving seafarers’ intercultural communication skills is important to ensure the safety of shipping transportation. Enhancing the intercultural communication ability of maritime students is not only the requirement of IMO conventions, but also the need for students to find jobs and to improve themselves. Through the revision of the STCW Convention, maritime institutions should strengthen the cultivation of students' intercultural communication ability in the aspects of curriculum construction and environment creation, so that the graduates can meet the requirements of the convention for competency. Shipping companies should also value the diversity of seafarers and strive to create more inclusive workplaces and living environments to maximize the potential of each seafarer.