PRS would like to remind ship owners, operators, managers, and ship masters that a new set of important amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) will come into force on 23 December 2024. These amendments aim to further enhance working and living conditions for seafarers, addressing critical issues experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please ensure your vessels and crews are fully prepared to comply with the updated regulations.
Key amendments include:
- Recruitment and Placement: Seafarers will be informed of their rights regarding financial protection from private recruitment agencies.
- Repatriation: States must ensure the prompt repatriation of abandoned seafarers.
- Accommodation and Welfare: Ships must provide social connectivity, including reasonable internet access. Port States should offer similar facilities.
- Food and Catering: Seafarers are to receive balanced meals and free good quality drinking water.
- Medical Care: Prompt disembarkation for medical emergencies and repatriation of deceased seafarers’ remains are mandated.
- Health and Safety: Gender-appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and comprehensive reporting of seafarer deaths are required.
- Financial Security: Clarity on the registered owner’s identity in financial security documents.
These updates aim to improve the welfare of seafarers globally, ensuring better conditions and protections across all maritime operations.
For more details, visit the ILO News website
2022 Amendments to the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006):
In case of questions or need for assistance, you can contact the PRS Marine Management Systems Bureau at kz@prs.pl.
We wish you safe voyages and smooth transitions in meeting these new requirements.
