Shipowners urged to prepare for new global employment amendments

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released the fifth edition of its Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, urging the global shipping industry to prepare for the latest amendments before they enter into force and to ensure vessels remain compliant, safe and fit to trade internationally.

The new edition brings together, for the first time, all sets of amendments to the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) in one publication, offering what ICS described as the most up-to-date and practical guidance on the convention’s mandatory and recommended employment standards.

According to the chamber, the updated publication explains in clear terms what the changes mean in practice for shipping companies, masters, managers, crewing agencies and those responsible for day-to-day operations both ashore and at sea.

With more than 1.5 million merchant seafarers working worldwide, ICS said the MLC remains “the only truly comprehensive global regime governing maritime employment standards”.

By setting minimum requirements across all ratifying countries, the convention helps ensure that seafarers, regardless of where they work, the flag their vessel sails under, or the company employing them, can expect “consistent and fair working and living conditions”, it said.

These standards, ICS added, continue to be rigorously enforced by governments through flag state inspections and port state control, making it essential for shipping companies to have a clear understanding of their obligations.

ICS, meanwhile, said it has been deeply involved in shaping the convention since before its adoption, in its capacity as an official ILO social partner, and remains committed to supporting shipping companies in upholding common standards and maintaining what it called “a genuinely fair global operating environment”.

Thomas Kazakos, secretary general of the ICS, said the latest amendments reflect lessons drawn from recent global events.

“The latest amendments to the MLC reflect the lessons learned from recent global events, including reinforced rights to shore leave without visas or special permits,” Kazakos said.

He added that “strengthened provisions on bullying and harassment have also been adopted and respond to the urgent need to safeguard seafarers’ dignity, safety and mental well-being”.

“These changes directly address challenges exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolving expectations around seafarer welfare,” he said.

The new edition also includes updated recommendations on sanitary product provision and improved onboard facilities.

ICS said that, with the industry placing greater emphasis on recruiting and retaining more female seafarers, the inclusion of guidance on making appropriate sanitary products available marks an important step towards more inclusive and supportive living conditions on board.

While this is not a mandatory requirement under the MLC, the chamber said the recommendation reflects growing recognition of the diverse needs of today’s global maritime workforce.

Building on the fourth edition, the publication also features a clearer layout, updated visual aids and enhanced navigation tools.

Among the practical additions are six redesigned checklists, broken into manageable sections, which allow shipowners to identify quickly what is needed to ensure compliance or to draw up action plans where gaps exist.

In addition, new summary boxes at the end of each chapter offer quick-reference guidance for masters and managers needing immediate clarity, while the inclusion of template company policies, including policies addressing bullying and harassment, allows organisations to move directly from guidance to implementation.

ICS also said the guidelines continue to distil complex regulatory text into practical information that can be applied on board.

The content, it added, is clearly colour-coded “to distinguish mandatory requirements from guidance”, helping readers understand exactly what is expected of them and what the changes will mean for their operations.

At the same time, ICS said that pursuing a career at sea remains “a highly rewarding choice”, offering strong employment conditions and opportunities for long-term progression.

However, it added that attracting and retaining the skilled workforce on which the industry depends requires continuous improvement in working and living conditions.

By providing clear, accessible and comprehensive guidance, ICS said it aims to help shipping companies meet their responsibilities and strengthen the high standards underpinning a sustainable global maritime workforce.