AWP Web Blog

This Marine Notice is intended to support the International Labour Organization (ILO) Guidelines for Flag Sate Inspections1 and provide Bahamas Recognised Organisations with supplementary information concerning inspections under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006), as amended.

The 2022 Amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) will enter into force on 23 December 2024. Some of these amendments require actions by the Member States, whilst others are to be applied by the MLC Shipowner.

This year’s Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC), running from 1 September until 30 November 2024, prioritizes seafarers’ basic rights on board ships, and will be carried out on the topic of crew wages and Seafarer Employment Agreements (SEAs) under MLC. Read more about the CIC in this news.

The 2022 Amendments to the MLC, 2006 will enter into force on 23 December 2024 in the countries that have ratified the MLC, 2006.

According to these amendments, shipowners should pay particular attention to the following provisions as they relate to the relevant items.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recorded that seafaring as a profession has the second highest rate of suicides, with a significant increase in recent years. A study was conducted in the port of Rotterdam whereby the results showed that seafarers are more likely to suffer from mental health problems.

This marine notice draws attention to the importance of providing shore leave to seafarers, for ships visiting Australian ports.

https://www.amsa.gov.au/file/10540/download?token=d6VMz7f1

The 4th meeting of the ILO’s Special Tripartite Committee for the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) was held in Geneva from 5 to 13 May 2022. The Committee addressed a wide range of issues related to seafarers such as recruitment, repatriation, welfare and medical care, and adopted eight amendments to the Code of the MLC, 2006.

Awareness of mental health issues in the maritime industry is increasing, though careful consideration of next steps is vital, writes Dr Rachel Glynn-Williams, Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Director of Recall Recover Ltd, Consultants to Qwest Care

As part of our charity support programme West has supported the Sailors’ Society Wellness at Sea programme. The Society has recently launched a video highlighting issues faced by seafarers and how the charity can help.

The Amendments of 2018 to the MLC, 2006 entered into force on 26 Dec. 2020 in the countries that have ratified the MLC, 2006. Since the issued date, various flag administrations have newly issued or
updated the circulars.