No. 14 of 2024 - THE 2022 AMENDMENT TO MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION (MLC) 2006
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
SHIPPING CIRCULAR
NO. 14 OF 2024
MPA Shipping Division
460 Alexandra Road
21st Storey mTower
Singapore 119963
http://www.mpa.gov.sg
02 December 2024
Applicable to: Shipowners, ship managers, ship operators, masters and Recognised
Organisations
2022 AMENDMENTS TO THE MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION (MLC), 2006
- Amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention Code (“MLC Code”) were
adopted by the Special Tripartite Committee (“STC”) of the International Labour
Organization (“ILO”) and approved by the International Labour Conference (“ILC”)
held in June 2022. The amendments were in the areas of health and safety protection
and accident prevention, food and catering, financial security, recruitment and
placement, repatriation, medical care and accommodation and recreational facilities.
The amendments will enter into force on 23rd December 2024.
Amendments to Subsidiary Legislation under the Merchant Shipping (Maritime
Labour Convention) Act 2014
- Accordingly, the amendments necessitate changes to four (4) Subsidiary
Legislations under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and the Merchant Shipping
(Maritime Labour Convention) Act 2014, alongside operational policy changes.
(a) The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Seafarer
Recruitment and Placement Services) Regulations 2014
• A seafarer placement and recruitment service shall establish a system
of protection, by way of insurance or an equivalent appropriate measure,
to compensate seafarers for monetary loss that they may incur as a
result of the failure of a recruitment and placement service or the relevant
shipowner under the seafarer’s employment agreement to meet its
obligations to them, and ensure that seafarers are informed, prior to or
in the process of engagement, of their rights under that system.
(b) The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Health and Safety
Protection and Accident Prevention) Regulations 2014
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) provided for the seafarers on
board are appropriately sized.
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(c) The Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations
• All new MLC ships shall provide access to ship to shore telephone
communications and electronic mail and Internet facilities, as far as
reasonably practicable.
(d) The Merchant Shipping (Provisions and Water) Regulations
• Shipowners and masters shall ensure that the organization and
equipment of the catering department permits the preparation and
service of adequate, varied, balanced and nutritious meals in hygienic
conditions, and that the seafarers onboard shall be provided free of
charge the provisions and water in the scale set out in the agreement
between the seafarer and his employer.
Declaration of Maritime Labour Convention
- Notwithstanding the amendments, MPA will not be revising the Declaration of
Maritime Labour Convention (DMLC) Part I for Singapore-flagged vessels. However,
shipowners are to review their policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the
2022 amendments to the MLC, 2006.
- Recognised Organisations (ROs) will be confirming compliance with the new
requirements during their MLC inspections on or after 23rd December 2024.
- Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to the Seafarers Policy,
Development & Welfare Department, Shipping Division. Email:
mmo_mpa@mpa.gov.sg, Tel: 1800 272 7777 (Press 1, follow by 2).
- The shipping community is encouraged to subscribe to our Telegram channel
– t.me/MPASingapore to receive the latest updates.
CHEAH AUN AUN
DIRECTOR OF MARINE
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
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