ILO MLC: Training of cooks and provision of food

MPA Singapore No.3/2013

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular reminding owners, operators, cooks, and masters of requirements of Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) pertaining to the training of cooks and the provision of food on ships.

Responsibilities of shipowners under MLC pertaining to Food and Catering

MLC Standard A3.2 contains the following mandatory requirements on food
and catering that shipowners shall ensure on board their ships:

“(a) food and drinking water supplies, having regard to the number of seafarers on board, their religious requirements and cultural practices as they pertain to food, and the duration and nature of voyage shall be suitable in respect of quantity, nutritional value, quality and variety;

(b) the organization and equipment of the catering department, shall be such as to permit the provision to seafarers of adequate, varied and nutritious meals prepared and served in hygienic conditions; and

(c) catering staff shall be properly trained or instructed for their positions.”

Shipowners shall also ensure that seafarers on board their ships are provided
with food and drinking water free of charge during the period of engagement.

Companies are recommended to check the qualifications of crew who are
currently working as ship’s cooks or trainee cooks. Companies are strongly
recommended to arrange for such cooks to attend courses to comply with the
requirements of MLC and obtain certificates before August 2013.

Companies are also recommended to undertake promotional activities to
educate ships’ masters and crew on nutrition, health, hygiene, storage of food and related activities. Companies may use relevant material from Singapore’s Health Promotion Board, International Maritime Organization (IMO), the World Health Organization (WHO) or ILO in these activities. A relevant publication is the WHO Guide to Ship Sanitation (3rd edition) which contains information and detailed guidance on the areas of food, water and catering.

For more information, click at MPA Singapore Circular No.3/2013

Source: MPA Singapore