{"product_id":"maritime-labour-convention-guidelines-2026","title":"Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 5th Edition 2026","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDescription\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-text-color\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe latest edition of the industry’s essential Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) guide. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGuidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eare the definitive reference for maritime employment standards, and the latest edition is designed to help shipping companies move from regulation to action with confidence. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis fifth edition prepares shipowners, operators and managers for the 2025 amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, translating complex requirements into clear, practical guidance that works on board and ashore. It supports better living and working conditions for the 1.89 million seafarers who keep global trade moving, while helping companies demonstrate compliance during inspections and audits. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat’s new in the latest edition: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuidance on seafarer key worker designation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrengthened requirements for fair treatment and repatriation, in the event of abandonment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew mandatory measures supporting visa-free shore leave\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnhanced protections against violence, harassment, bullying and sexual harassment, aligned with ILO Convention C190\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStronger safeguards for the confidential handling of seafarer complaints\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpdated requirements for onboard welfare facilities, including sanitary products \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo support real-world application, this ICS guide includes redesigned, inspection-ready checklists, clear color-coding to distinguish mandatory MLC requirements from guidance, and concise summary boxes for time-pressed readers. New best-practice sections cover the use of crewing agencies and practical measures to prevent violence and harassment, with policy templates included.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten for shipping companies, crewing agents, superintendents, maritime colleges, flag and port state inspectors, and anyone involved in the employment of seafarers, these guidelines are particularly valuable for masters, senior officers, HR teams and shoreside personnel. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe latest edition of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eGuidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esits alongside other core ICS publications, including the Guidelines on the IMO STCW Convention and the International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers, now referenced within the MLC as recommended onboard medical guidance. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the benchmark ICS guide for MLC compliance. Practical, authoritative and ready for inspection.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"row\"\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe International Labour Organization (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) aims to ensure that all seafarers have the right to a safe and secure workplace, fair terms of employment, decent working and living conditions on board ship, and clear rights to health protection, medical care and other forms of social protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe MLC was adopted in 2006 by a special International Labour Conference, in Geneva, comprising hundreds of representatives of governments, seafarers’ and shipowners’ organizations. The ILO MLC is the ‘fourth pillar’ of the international maritime regulatory framework, standing alongside the International Convention for the Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS), International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) adopted by IMO. It is now an essential aspect of international shipping regulation, which virtually all maritime states follow and enforce through flag state inspection and port state control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ILO is a United Nations (UN) agency based in Geneva, which has developed labor standards for the shipping industry since 1920. Before the adoption of the MLC, a series of special ILO diplomatic conferences had adopted a large number of conventions and recommendations for specific application to shipping, far more than for any other industry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2006, updated versions of most of these standards and recommendations were incorporated into the MLC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eILO is unique among UN agencies. Its standards are developed on a tripartite basis, meaning that at ILO meetings there are shipowners’ representatives and trade union representatives with voting rights, sitting alongside ILO member states.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shipping industry itself is unique in that it has always had a separate and distinct machinery at ILO for developing maritime labor standards to that which exists for other industries. The shipowners’ group at ILO maritime meetings is coordinated by ICS (until 2011, ICS operated at ILO under the name of the International Shipping Federation (ISF)). The seafarers’ group is coordinated by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the MLC came into effect, there were 69 separate maritime labor standards. Once the MLC entered into force in 2013, it superseded most of the existing ILO maritime instruments. Previously, many of these ILO conventions were not widely ratified by governments, and only a small number of governments had made serious efforts to apply the various maritime recommendations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn spite of the longstanding commitment of the shipping industry and seafarers’ organizations to the concept of international labor standards, there was growing concern by the end of the previous century that a genuine level playing field did not exist, putting the majority of responsible ship operators at a commercial disadvantage to the small minority that did not take working conditions as seriously as they should.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eContents Listing\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 1 Key issues, certification and enforcement and seafarers’ rights\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e1.1 Purpose and origins of the MLC\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e1.2 Convention structure\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e1.3 Labour standards overview\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e1.4 MLC explanatory note\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e1.5 Entry into force, implementation and enforcement\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e1.6 Application\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e1.6.1 Application to ships\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e1.6.2 Application to seafarers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e1.7 Seafarers as key workers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e1.8 Links between the MLC, the STCW Convention and the ISM Code\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e1.9 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 2 Fundamental seafarer rights\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e2.1 Freedom of association\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e2.2 Collective bargaining\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e2.3 Protection from unfair treatment, discrimination, and violence and harassment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e2.3.1 Prevention of violence and harassment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e2.3.2 Prevention of unfair treatment of seafarers held in connection with investigations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e2.4 Promoting diversity and inclusion in shipping\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e2.5 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 3 Flag state inspection and certification\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e3.1 Flag state inspections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e3.2 Areas to be inspected\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e3.3 Inspectors’ powers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e3.4 MLC certification\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e3.4.1 Maritime labour certificate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e3.4.2 Declaration of maritime labour compliance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e3.4.3 Interim certificates\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e3.5 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 4 Port state control\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e4.1 Normal inspections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e4.2 Grounds for a more detailed inspection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e4.3 Detention of a ship\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e4.4 Common MLC deficiencies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e4.5 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 5 Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e5.1 Minimum age\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e5.2 Medical certificate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e5.3 Training and qualifications\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e5.4 Recruitment and placement\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e5.4.1 General principles\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e5.4.2 Government obligations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e5.4.3 Shipowner obligations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e5.4.4 Oversight of third party recruitment services\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e5.5 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 6 Young seafarers and the MLC\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e6.1 Minimum age of seafarers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e6.2 Working hours of young seafarers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e6.3 Medical certification for young seafarers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e6.4 Young seafarers and food and catering\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e6.5 Repatriation of young seafarers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e6.6 Safety and health education of young seafarers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e6.7 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 7 Conditions of employment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.1 Shipowner obligations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.2 Seafarers’ employment agreements\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.3 Wages\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.3.1 ILO minimum wage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.3.2 Definitions for the calculation of wages\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.3.3 Overtime\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.3.4 Consolidated wages\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.3.5 General principles for payment of wage deductions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.4 Hours of work and rest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.4.1 MLC and STCW rest requirements\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.4.2 The hours of work and rest regimes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.4.3 Schedule of working\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.4.4 Record keeping\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.4.5 Permitted exceptions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.4.6 Hours of work for young seafarers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.5 Entitlement to shore leave\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.5.1 Calculation of entitlement for paid leave\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.5.2 Other considerations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.6 In the event of loss or foundering\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.6.1 In the event of a hostage situation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.7 Crewing levels\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.8 Career development\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e7.9 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 8 Accommodation and recreational facilities\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.1 Application to new and existing ships\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.2 Ongoing compliance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.3 Design and construction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.4 Prevention of noise and vibration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.5 Heating, air conditioning and ventilation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.6 Lighting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.7 Living accommodation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.7.1 Sleeping rooms on all ships other than passenger ships and special purpose ships\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.7.2 Sleeping rooms on passenger ships and special purpose ships\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.7.3 Mess rooms\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.7.4 Bedding, mess utensils and personal hygiene provisions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.7.5 Hospital\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.7.6 Laundry\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.7.7 Facilities for engine personnel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.7.8 Ship’s office\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.7.9 Sanitary facilities\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.8 Recreational facilities\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.8.1 Social connectivity\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.8.2 Open decks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.8.3 Mail and ship visits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.9 Guidance for ships constructed before the MLC entered into force\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.9.1 Maintenance of accommodation for ships constructed before the MLC entered into force\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.9.2 Ventilation for ships constructed before the MLC entered into force\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.9.3 Sanitary accommodation for ships constructed before the MLC entered into force\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e8.10 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 9 Food and catering\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e9.1 Shipowners’ obligations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e9.1.1 Food storage and sufficient food\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e9.1.2 Condition of galley\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e9.1.3 Vermin control\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e9.1.4 Drinking water\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e9.2 Ships’ cooks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e9.2.1 Ship’s cook’s training\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e9.3 Inspection by the master\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e9.4 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 10 Health protection and medical care\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e10.1 The provisions for health, safety and medical care\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e10.2 Limitations permitted by national law for payment in the event of illness or injury\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e10.3 Medical care on board ship\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e10.4 Medical qualifications of seafarers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e10.5 Carriage requirements for medical equipment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e10.6 Diseases\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e10.7 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 11 Health and safety protection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e11.1 Personal protective equipment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e11.2 Prevention of noise and vibration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e11.3 Young seafarers’ health and safety\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e11.4 Other issues\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e11.5 Shipowner obligations on accident prevention\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e11.6 National health and safety protection and prevention program\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e11.6.1 Instruction in occupational safety and health protection and the prevention of occupational accidents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e11.7 Reporting, collection of statistics and investigations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e11.8 Investigation into the deaths of seafarers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e11.9 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 12 Shipowners’ liability to protect seafarers from the consequences of sickness\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e, injury and death\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e12.1 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 13 Seafarers’ welfare\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e13.1 Access to shore-based welfare facilities\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e13.2 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 14 Social security\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e14.1 Social security\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e14.2 Seafarers’ Pension Convention\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e14.3 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 15 Repatriation\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e15.1 Shipowner obligations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e15.2 Circumstances where repatriation is required\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e15.3 Costs to be met by the shipowner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e15.4 Repatriation in the event of abandonment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e15.5 Reimbursement of expenses in the event of abandonment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e15.6 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 16 Death in service of a seafarer\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e16.1 Repatriation of a body in the event of a fatality\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e16.2 The seafarer’s effects\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e16.3 Seafarer compensation in the event of a fatality\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e16.4 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 17 Complaint procedures\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e17.1 On board complaints\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e17.2 Shipowner policies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e17.3 Complaints to other parties\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e17.4 Contractual redress for seafarers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e17.5 Summary of key points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAppendices\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAppendix A MLC documentation checklist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAppendix B Minimum requirements to work on a ship\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAppendix C Conditions of employment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAppendix D Accommodation and recreational facilities\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAppendix E Health and safety\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAppendix F On board complaint procedures\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAppendix G Industry Principles for Establishing Effective Measures to Combat and Eliminate Violence and Harassment in the Maritime Sector\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAppendix H Crewing Agency Guidelines\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eForward\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) adoption by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This ground breaking instrument consolidated and modernized around 70 maritime labor instruments into a single, comprehensive international framework. In doing so, it established enforceable minimum standards for wages, hours of work and rest, medical care, accommodation, repatriation and welfare, creating a clear and consistent global baseline to ensure seafarers receive fair and consistent opportunities. The shipping industry is proud to be the only industrial sector to have such a comprehensive regime in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePursuing a career at sea remains a highly rewarding choice, with strong employment conditions and opportunities for long-term progression. Protecting and advancing the standards of the MLC, however, is essential to continue attracting and retaining the high caliber workforce of the shipping industry. Without the 1.89 million dedicated seafarers working worldwide, moving global trade by sea would not be possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), as an official ILO social partner, has been deeply involved in shaping the MLC since before its adoption. Alongside the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), ICS played a central role in the convention’s development, negotiation and continuing revision, working with the ILO and partners, to ensure that the convention remains practical, effective and responsive to emerging challenges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2006 also saw the release of the first edition of the Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention. For 20 years, this publication has supported shipping companies in upholding these common standards and maintaining a genuinely fair global operating environment. The new edition of this essential guide continues to support companies to move directly from policy to practice by distilling complex regulatory text into practical information that can be applied on board.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 117.563px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 33.574%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eAuthor    \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 66.065%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eInternational Chamber of Shipping\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 33.574%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003ePublisher    \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 66.065%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eInternational Chamber of Shipping Publications\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 33.574%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eEdition    \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 66.065%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eFifth Edition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 33.574%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003ePublication\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 66.065%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e2026 - March\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 33.574%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eISBN    \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 66.065%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e9781913997748\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 33.574%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eShipping Weight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 66.065%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e 1.8 Kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"International Chamber of Shipping","offers":[{"title":"Hardcopy","offer_id":47859508576501,"sku":"9781913997748","price":236.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"eBook","offer_id":47859508609269,"sku":"9781913997748","price":236.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0090\/5072\/files\/guidelines-on-the-application-of-the-ilo-maritime-labour-convention-mlc-5th-edition-2026-1228436415.jpg?v=1774117296","url":"https:\/\/www.amnautical.com\/products\/maritime-labour-convention-guidelines-2026","provider":"American Nautical Services","version":"1.0","type":"link"}