Global Minimum Wage For Seafarers Increased In New 3-Year Agreement

A new agreement has been reached on the global minimum wage for seafarers following a round of negotiations held on 14-15 April 2025 in Geneva.

The discussions took place at a meeting of the Subcommittee on Wages of Seafarers of the Joint Maritime Commission (JMC), which operates under the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The agreement was reached through bipartite negotiations between representatives of shipowners and seafarers’ unions, coordinated by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

It outlines a gradual increase in the minimum wage for able seafarers over a three-year period. The newly set figures are:

US$690 per month from 1 January 2026
US$704 per month from 1 January 2027
US$715 per month from 1 January 2028

These rates indicate a direct 6.2% increase from the previously agreed rate of US$673, which will come into effect from 1 January 2025 as per the earlier agreement made in September 2022.

Maritime transport remains the only global industry with an officially recognised minimum wage system, first introduced in 1958.

This system is mandated under the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention, which requires periodic reviews and updates to the minimum basic wage for able seafarers, based on recommendations made by the JMC.

The resolution containing the updated figures will now be submitted for final approval at the 355th session of the ILO Governing Body in November 2025.

Speaking on behalf of shipowners, Pal Tangen of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association stated that the agreement is a careful and considered balance between recognising the vital contribution of seafarers and maintaining the commercial sustainability of the global shipping industry,” he said.

He also added that seafarers work under challenging conditions and play a crucial role in maintaining the flow of global trade.

Mark Dickinson from Nautilus International, representing the seafarers, welcomed the wage increase and said it builds on recent progress. “Seafarers are crucial in delivering 90% of all goods for people in every nation of the world. Last week, we achieved key worker recognition in the Maritime Labour Convention, and now we have secured better pay that reflects the rising cost of living since 2022,” he said.

Frank Hagemann, Director of the ILO’s Sectoral Policies Department, discussed the significance of the agreement beyond wage adjustments. “This outcome is more than just a technical update. It reflects our shared commitment to ensure decent work for seafarers,” he added.

Both sides acknowledged the increasing uncertainty in the international trade environment and the risk of a possible full-scale trade war, which could affect shipping and consequently, the livelihoods of around two million seafarers globally.

The ICS reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that fair trade also guarantees fair treatment for those working at sea.

The International Bargaining Forum (IBF), which brings together maritime employers and seafarers’ unions represented by the ITF, is set to begin talks in Singapore later this month.

According to Francesco Gargiulo, Chief Executive of the International Maritime Employers’ Committee (IMEC), these talks may have a more direct financial impact on seafarers.

Gargiulo explained that the ILO’s minimum wage mainly applies to able seamen working 48 hours per week and is not mandatory for all flag states. “It’s a recommendation that some flag states may adopt and others may not,” he noted.

He further added, “On the other hand, we represent a group of responsible employers who have already agreed to a much higher wage standard, one that the ITF recognises as fair. What we agree at the IBF level is what actually affects seafarers’ earnings.”

Reference: ITF

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