ILO Adopts Key Changes To Maritime Labour Convention For Seafarer Welfare

The international shipping community has approved landmark updates to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), to bring real improvements to the lives of seafarers.

The changes were agreed upon during a week-long meeting at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) headquarters in Geneva from 7-11 April 2025.

These updates, developed through collaboration between governments, shipowners, and seafarers’ unions under ILO’s Special Tripartite Committee (STC), are expected to officially come into force in December 2027 after ratification.

Key changes include:

• Recognition of seafarers as key workers, ensuring they receive essential support during crises.
• Stronger repatriation rules, so that seafarers can return home safely when needed.
• Mandatory shore leave access without needing a visa or special permit, allowing seafarers to step ashore more easily.
• Improved protection against bullying and harassment on board ships.

The ILO has also approved a recommendation for ships to carry the ICS International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers for seafarers’ medical needs, especially in remote areas.

This complements the current requirement for vessels to have a medical guide on board. The guide was developed in collaboration with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA).

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), representing shipowners globally, led their delegation at the ILO talks and welcomed the update.

According to the ICS, the updates mark a major step toward safeguarding the health, rights and dignity of those working at sea.

The chair of the ICS Labour Affairs Committee, who also served as the Shipowners’ Group spokesperson during the ILO meeting, said the shipowners’ team worked closely with government and union representatives to achieve real improvements.

He added that this showed how cooperation can lead to practical solutions for the industry’s challenges. Another ICS official from the employment affairs team described the week as “successful and historic.”

The official said the changes reflect a strong global commitment to improve seafarers’ conditions across the industry.

The ILO praised the successful tripartite process. The Director of the ILO’s International Labour Standards Department said the meeting was proof that dialogue between governments, employers, and workers can produce effective solutions.

A key addition to the outcome was the agreement on a joint future meeting between the ILO and IMO member states. This meeting will review and possibly align rules on working and rest hours for seafarers.

The ILO is the only UN agency that uses a tripartite structure, where national governments, employers, and workers come together to decide on labour policies and standards.

In the maritime sector, these discussions happen through the Special Tripartite Committee on the MLC, 2006. During these meetings, the ICS represents the global shipowners’ group, while the ITF represents seafarers’ unions.

The ICS also serves as the permanent secretariat for the global maritime employers’ group at ILO, leading shipowners’ representation and positions during key negotiations.

The newly adopted MLC amendments will be reviewed for final approval during the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference scheduled for 2-13 June 2025 in Geneva.

Once ratified, they are set to become effective in December 2027. The next meeting of the ILO’s Special Tripartite Committee is scheduled for April 2028.

Reference: ICS

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