MPA Singapore Circular 8/2013
Singapore is a party to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC), whichwill come into force on 20 August 2013. The MLC applies to all SRS ships ordinarilyengaged in commercial activities. In addition, ships of 500 gross tonnage and aboveare required to carry and maintain a Maritime Labour Certificate and a Declaration ofMaritime Labour Compliance (DMLC)
MPA Singapore has issued Circular 8/2013 providing updates on the certification process and providing thefinalised requirements for the DMLC Part I. This updates the provisionalrequirements for the DMLC Part I earlier provided in MPA Shipping Circular No. 18of 2012
The MLC Tripartite Working Group has agreed for the MLC not to apply toMobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs). A MODU, as defined by the InternationalMaritime Organization (IMO) MODU Code, is a vessel capable of engaging in drillingoperations for the exploration for or exploitation of resources beneath the sea-bedsuch as liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, sulphur or salt. MPA will be adopting thisposition, and this would subsequently be reflected in our national legislation. For thecase of Floating Production, Storage and Offloading units and other similar units that are issued with MODU Safety Certificates but are not MODUs as defined by the IMOMODU Code, the application of the MLC will be considered at a later date.
The DMLC consists of two parts. The DMLC Part I is prepared and issued byMPA and contains the national requirements. The DMLC Part II is to be prepared bythe shipowner and contains the measures to ensure compliance with the DMLC PartI
Certification
A Maritime Labour Certificate shall be issued to a ship after verification, viainspection, that the ship (including its DMLC Part II) is in compliance with nationalrequirements (as detailed in the DMLC Part I) and applicable MLC requirements.MPA has authorised our 9 Recognised Organisations (ROs) to conduct theinspections and to issue the Maritime Labour Certificate, on behalf of MPA.
MPA requires all SRS ships to comply with the MLC by 20 August 2013.However, there will be a transition period while Singapore’s national laws andregulations are being promulgated. The International Labour Organization (ILO) hasrequested Members to give due consideration to allowing ships to continue tooperate for a one year period following 20 August 2013 without the Maritime LabourCertificate and the DMLC (please see ILO Resolution XVII in Annex A). As part ofthe implementation of MLC for the SRS fleet, MPA will be adopting transitionalarrangements as detailed in the Circular
For more information, please click at MPA Singapore Circular No. 08/2013
Source: MPA Singapore
