MLC 2006 deadline approaching
As the 20th August 2013 deadline for Maritime Labour Convention compliance is less than six months away the Club continues to build its resources for Members.
Our website section 'Maritime Labour Convention (MLC2006) ' is collating the notices and advices from ratifying states on the impending effects of their national laws on shipowners and operators in this area. Circular 8/13 was added to the collection which includes an updated set of
Club FAQsexplaining potential developments on cover in relation to repatriation of seafarers. The Legal Briefing "
Comprehensive rights and protection at work" reviews the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and explains the implications for Members of its adoption into national labour laws.
In addition, the International Shipping Federation's (ISF) guide publication
“Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Conventions (2nd edition)”and the Lloyds Register/UK Club
“ILO MLC pocket checklist”has been mailed to all Members. An equivalent 'app' of the checklist can also be downloaded for use on smartphones and tablets.
The MLC represents a significant change to the regulation of employment terms and working conditions for seafarers. For example, Masters and senior officers will need to be trained in ensuring that the ship is compliant with the MLC including dealing with crew complaints and monitoring working time limits.
As an international legal instrument MLC 2006 does not apply directly to shipowners. Like all international law, it relies on implementation by countries through their national laws or other measures. It is these national laws that will apply to shipowners, seafarers and ships.
Ratifying states will also be required to incorporate MLC compliance as part of their Port State control. Every foreign ship calling, in the normal course of its business or for operational reasons, in the port of an ILO Member may be inspected to review compliance with the Convention in respect of the working and living conditions of seafarers on the ship.
All merchant ships of 500 gross tons or over flagged to a ratifying state and, engaged in international voyages will need to show compliance by carrying a Maritime Labour Certificate and Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance.
The Club will continue to develop various resources to support Members in respect of MLC 2006 compliance and publish them via this special area of the website. If you have any suggestions on how this information can be made more useful please email them to the
website editor.
Tags
You may also be interested in:
Congratulations to UK Club board member Nikolaus H Schües, who has been named the 46th President of BIMCO.
Our correspondents in China, Huatai Marine, have provided the latest update relating to the distribution of major fishery farms along the coast of China.
The region comprising Latin America and the Caribbean is a busy one for the UK P&I Club. Some prominent Members have a large number of tons entered with the Club and have this region as their principal place of business. Moreover, many of the Club’s entered ships frequently call at Latin American and Caribbean ports regardless of where the Member is based, which can undoubtedly be anywhere in the world.
Loading grain cargo in the Pacific Northwest
03/05/2023
Loading grains in the Pacific Northwest can be a real test of patience. For shipowners not familiar with the Pacific Northwest, where it rains approximately 150 to 180 days per year, with rainfall totals averaging 40 inches per year, it is important to maximise loading during periods of light rain and to prevent vessel delays while avoiding moisture damage to the cargo during periods of moderate to heavy rain.