MIN 714 (M) Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006: proposed implementation of the MLC 2006, amendments 2022
Published 31 October 2024
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Summary
This MIN provides information on the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) amendments 2022, agreed at the 4th meeting of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Special Tripartite Committee on 6 June 2022.
This MIN expires 30 September 2025
1. Introduction
The UK, as a ratified member of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) is obligated to consult, consider and implement amendments into UK legislation. The MLC, 2006 amendments 2022 come into force internationally 23 December 2024.
2. MLC, 2006 amendments 2022
Vessels operating in UK waters will not be legally obligated to have measures in place to meet the requirements of the MLC 2006, amendments 2022, until they come into UK law in 2025.
Some requirements, such as appropriately fitting PPE, are covered under other UK legislation, for example safety management provisions, and foreign flagged vessels are additionally bound by the requirements of their Flag State.
A public consultation will take place before there are changes to UK legislation. Notification will be issued to industry and stakeholders advising when the public consultation will be open on GOV.UK and the MCA would welcome your comments on the MLC 2006, amendments 2022, the draft UK legislation for their implementation and associated guidance. Contact mlc@mcga.gov.uk to ensure you receive the public consultation notification.
3. International requirements of the MLC, 2006 amendments 2022
It is necessary for UK registered vessels operating internationally to countries who have ratified the MLC to have the necessary measures in place, to meet the requirements of the waters they operate in.
Some of the MLC 2006, amendments 2022 already have effect in UK law under existing other provisions, however operators should take note of the additional requirements of the amendments.
Please see annex A summary of the MLC 2006 amendments 2022, attached separately to this notice, outlining the four amendments 2022 requiring UK legislative change subject to consultation, and where the remaining amendments 2022 are already being met within existing UK regulations.
4. UK Registered Ships: DMLC Part II and Port State Control
UK vessels are not required to amend their DMLC-II until new MLC 2006, amendments are put into effect in UK laws and the MCA issues the new DMLC-I for the vessel. However as mentioned above, the compliance to MLC amendments has to be demonstrated and implemented on those vessels which will be trading internationally on or after 23 December 2024.
Port State Control inspections conducted in UK ports on foreign flagged vessels will not enforce compliance to the MLC 2006, amendments 2022 until UK legislation comes into force.
5. Routine survey and inspection of UK vessels
UK flagged vessels in UK waters will not be required to demonstrate compliance with the proposed MLC 2006, amendments 2022 until the public consultation has taken place and the requirements have become UK law.
Shipowners, ship operators and ship managers, employers of seafarers, masters, officers and seafarers on sea-going ships ordinarily engaged in commercial operations, P&I Clubs, Recognised Organisations, recruitment and placement services and maritime insurance providers are encouraged to respond to the public consultation as detailed in Section 2.
6. More information
Seafarer Safety and Health Branch
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/17
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
Telephone: +44 (0) 7880 278066
Email: mlc@mcga.gov.uk
Website: www.gov.uk/mca
Please note that all addresses and telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing.