MPA Singapore- Circular 18/2012
Singapore ratified the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) which will
come into force internationally on 20 August 2013. The MLC, an instrument of the International Labour Organisation, establishes international requirements for decent conditions of work for seafarers
MPA Singapore Circular No 18/2012 provides the provisional requirements for the Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) Part 1 so that shipowners, ship managers, operators and masters and crew of Singapore-registered (SRS) ships can make early preparations to comply with and implement the MLC.
Scope of Application and Certification
The MLC applies to all SRS ships ordinarily engaged in commercial activities.
SRS ships of 500 gross tonnage and above which are engaged in international
voyages shall attain a DMLC and a Maritime Labour Certificate.
The DMLC consists of two parts. The DMLC Part I is to be prepared and
issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and contains the
national requirements and applicable exemptions. The DMLC Part II is to be
prepared by the shipowner and contains the measures to ensure compliance with DMLC Part I.
A Maritime Labour Certificate shall be issued to a ship after the Recognised Organisation (RO) has verified, via inspection, that the ship (including the DMLC Part II) is in compliance with national (DMLC Part I) and applicable MLC requirements. The MPA has authorised our 9 ROs to conduct the inspections and to issue the Maritime Labour Certificate, on behalf of MPA
Shipowners are strongly encouraged to begin preparations for the necessary MLC certification and to approach any of the 9 ROs for assistance in this regard.
Provisional Requirements of DMLC Part I
The DMLC Part I is currently being finalised. In the interim, to facilitate early preparations by shipowners to comply with and implement the MLC, the MPA has, in consultation with the MLC Tripartite Working Group2, prepared a list of provisional requirements of DMLC Part I. These requirements are largely finalised, although there may be further refinements. These could be used as a guide or tool for gap analysis.
Statement of Compliance
For SRS ships which voluntarily comply with these provisional requirements of DMLC Part I and other applicable MLC requirements, the 9 ROs may issue a “Statement of Compliance” for such ships, should the shipowners request for such a Statement. This voluntary and interim measure facilitates shipowners who have given full effect to the provisional requirements of DMLC Part I and the applicable provisions of the MLC, while the MLC legislation and the DMLC Part I are being finalised.
Issuing of DMLC Part I
Once the requirements for the DMLC Part I are finalised, MPA will issue the DMLC Part I to individual ships, and the target date for this issuance is in 2Q 2013. A Maritime Labour Certificate shall be issued to a ship upon confirmation by any of the 9 ROs that the ship had complied with the following:
- The DMLC Part I
- Any other applicable requirements of the MLC
For more information click at MPA Singapore 18-2012
Source: MPA Singapore
