MLC 2006 Compliance: What Shipowners Must Know About Crew Welfare at Sea ⚓🧑‍✈️

My name is Davide Ramponi, I’m 20 years old and currently training as a shipping agent in Hamburg. On my blog, I take you with me on my journey into the fascinating world of shipping. I share my knowledge, my experiences, and my progress on the way to becoming an expert in the field of Sale and Purchase – the trade with ships. 🚢📘

In shipping, we often talk about fuel efficiency, emissions compliance, or newbuild standards. But there’s one piece of regulation that cuts deeper—because it’s not about cargo or CO₂, but about people.

Life at sea is tough. Crews spend months away from home, working in unpredictable weather, often with limited connectivity and isolation. That’s why the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) is considered the “seafarers’ bill of rights”. It sets out the minimum working and living standards for everyone working onboard a commercial ship.

Since entering into force in 2013, MLC 2006 has become a central part of vessel inspections, certifications, and Port State Control. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what the MLC covers, highlight common compliance gaps, and provide hands-on guidance for shipowners and managers who want to stay on the right side of the law—and do right by their crews.

Let’s make compliance personal. ⚖️🧭

What Is the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)? 📜🌍

The MLC 2006 was adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to create a global standard for seafarers’ rights. It combines and updates over 60 earlier ILO conventions related to maritime labour.

🌐 Key facts:

• Came into force: 20 August 2013

• Ratified by: Over 100 countries, covering >90% of the world’s gross tonnage

• Applies to: All ships over 500 GT engaged in international voyages, regardless of flag

🎯 Purpose:

To ensure decent work conditions for seafarers and fair competition among shipowners.

💡 The MLC is built around five key areas (Titles):

1. Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship

2. Conditions of employment

3. Accommodation, recreational facilities, food, and catering

4. Health protection, medical care, welfare, and social security

5. Compliance and enforcement

📌 In many ways, the MLC is to crew what SOLAS is to safety.

MLC Compliance Essentials: What Shipowners Must Ensure ✅📋

Staying compliant with MLC 2006 means more than ticking off a checklist. It requires embedding crew welfare into vessel operations.

Here are the most critical areas of compliance:

📝 1. Seafarer Employment Agreements (SEAs)

• Every seafarer must have a written contract, signed by both the crew member and the shipowner or manager

• Must clearly state:

  • Wages and payment intervals

  • Length of contract

  • Termination and repatriation terms

• Seafarers must receive a copy before boarding

🛏️ 2. Accommodation and Living Conditions

• Minimum space standards for cabins, beds, and sanitary facilities

• Proper ventilation, lighting, noise control, and privacy

• Access to recreational facilities (TV, internet, reading material)

🍽️ 3. Food and Catering

• Three nutritious meals per day, with consideration of religious or cultural dietary needs

• Qualified cook onboard (on vessels with 10+ crew)

• Clean and hygienic galley and storage areas

💰 4. Wages and Hours of Rest

• Regular payment—at least monthly

• Overtime paid at a higher rate

• Daily and weekly hours of rest must comply with STCW and MLC minimums

🏥 5. Medical Care and Welfare

• Free access to medical care onboard and ashore

• Medical chest, trained first-aider, and procedures for emergencies

• Mental health and well-being support increasingly expected

📌 These aren't just "nice-to-haves"—they are legal minimums.

Common Compliance Gaps (and How to Avoid Them) ⚠️🧯

Even well-run vessels can fall into non-compliance—often due to oversight, poor documentation, or lack of crew awareness.

Here are five areas where many vessels struggle:

🚩 1. Incomplete or Inaccurate SEAs

• Contracts missing signatures, unclear repatriation terms, or lacking wage detailsFix: Use standard SEA templates reviewed by legal counsel and flag state

🚩 2. Substandard Accommodation

• Dirty cabins, broken toilets, or overcrowded sleeping quartersFix: Include accommodation checks in ISM audits and maintenance plans

🚩 3. Wage Delays or Disputes

• Payment delays due to administrative issues or unclear proceduresFix: Automate wage payments and provide crew with regular statements

🚩 4. Missing Documentation

• Medical logs, SEA copies, or wage records not readily available during PSC inspectionsFix: Maintain clear, indexed records and train crew to present them

🚩 5. Crew Fatigue

• Failure to manage watchkeeping hours or rest periodsFix: Monitor hours of rest electronically and review logs before arrival in port

🧠 Proactive management is cheaper than fines, detentions—or reputational damage.

Enforcement: How MLC Is Policed ⚓🔍

The MLC has teeth—and they bite through Port State Control (PSC). Inspectors regularly review compliance as part of standard inspections.

🔎 PSC MLC checks typically include:

• Valid MLC Certificate and Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC)

• Crew interviews about working and living conditions

• Review of SEAs, wage slips, medical logs, and food quality

• Visual inspection of accommodation and galley

• Hours of rest records compared with logbooks

🧾 If violations are found:

• Minor: Corrective action requested within deadline

• Major: Detention, certificate withdrawal, or port ban

📌 In Europe, MLC compliance is a key focus of the Paris MoU, and ships are routinely detained over violations.

Practical Onboard Guidelines for MLC Compliance 🛠️📘

Compliance doesn’t have to be complex—it just has to be consistent. Here’s how to stay ready at all times:

✅ 1. Maintain Updated Documentation

• ILO-compliant SEAs

• Wage logs, payslips, crew lists

• Medical records and first-aid log

• Catering and hygiene checklists

✅ 2. Conduct Internal MLC Audits

• Schedule regular MLC self-audits

• Interview crew members anonymously

• Document findings and corrective actions

✅ 3. Appoint a Designated Crew Welfare Officer

• Someone onboard responsible for monitoring MLC issues

• Liaison with shore-based HR or compliance department

✅ 4. Listen to Your Crew

• Set up a confidential complaint mechanism

• Address issues before they escalate into violations

• Encourage feedback on meals, conditions, and morale

✅ 5. Stay Flag-State Compliant

• Keep up to date with your flag administration’s MLC requirements

• Make sure your DMLC Part II reflects current onboard procedures

📌 Think of MLC compliance as crew satisfaction management. If your people are happy, your inspection will be too.

Why MLC Compliance Matters (Beyond Just Avoiding Fines) 🌎💬

MLC isn’t just about legal checkboxes—it’s about building a sustainable, responsible, and people-first shipping culture.

🚢 Business Benefits:

• Lower turnover and higher crew retention

• Fewer disputes and legal claims

• Better PSC performance and reputation with charterers

• Alignment with ESG goals and investor expectations

👥 Human Benefits:

• Fair pay and decent conditions for the people who keep the global economy moving

• Improved mental health, safety, and job satisfaction

💡 Happy crews lead to safe voyages. It’s that simple.

Conclusion: Compliance with Heart ❤️⚖️

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) is more than just another regulation—it’s the human side of shipping law. It reminds us that no matter how advanced our ships become, it's the people onboard who make the voyage possible.

⚓ MLC sets minimum global standards for crew contracts, pay, health, and living conditions

🧾 Shipowners must maintain clear documentation and onboard procedures

🚫 PSC authorities can—and do—detain vessels for non-compliance

🧠 A proactive, crew-focused approach isn’t just compliant—it’s smart, sustainable shipping

How are you managing MLC compliance on your vessels?Have you implemented any creative crew welfare solutions?

💬 Let me know in the comments—I look forward to the exchange!

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