Seven ships detained for MLC-related deficiencies
On 20 August 2013 the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) entered into force and became a relevant instrument for the Paris MoU, thus making the MLC requirements officially subject to Port State Control. Paris MoU announced the results of the first month since MLC entered into force.
During the first month 7 ships were detained for MLC-related deficiencies. This means that 10% of the total number of detentions (68) in the Paris MoU area in this period was MLC, 2006 related.
The detentions were imposed by 4 different port States: Canada (2 ships), Denmark, the Russian Federation and Spain (3 ships).
The detained ships were flying the flag of Cyprus (2 ships), Liberia, the Netherlands, Panama (2 ships) and Tanzania.
| Note: The article has been edited according to the latestParis MoU press release on 14 October. In the initial press release eight detentions were reported, but the correct number is 7, which leads to a 10% of total detentions in the same period. |
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Other interesting Paris MoU figures during the month of MLC: |
The MLC, 2006 applies to all ships engaged in commercial activities. International certification is required for all ships of 500GT and over, making international voyages. The requirements of the MLC, 2006 have to be implemented on board at the entry into force date 20 August 2013.
Only the member States of the Paris MoU who have ratified the MLC, 2006 on or before 20 August 2012 are entitled to conduct PSC inspections on MLC, 2006 requirements from 20 August 2013.
As a result the following twelve member States have started enforcing the MLC, 2006: Bulgaria,Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the Russian Federation, Spain and Sweden.
Paris MoU ready for enforcement of Maritime Labour Convention
The Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) heldits 46th Committee meeting in Valletta, Malta, from 20 – 24 May 2013.The meetingwas attended by members, the European Commission, EMSA, Montenegro,observers from the ILO, US Coast Guard, Black Sea MoU, Caribbean MoU,Mediterranean MoU, Tokyo MoU and Vina del Mar Agreement.
The Committee adopted amendments to the Memorandum to include the MaritimeLabour Convention 2006 as a relevant instrument. Guidelines for Port StateControl under this Convention were also agreed, providing practical guidance forPort State Control Officers to inspect ships starting 20 August 2013.
Brian Hogan, the Chairman, stated: “The Paris MoU has always been supportive ofverification of working and living conditions under the ILO Convention 147. With theintroduction of the MLC 2006 we are entering a new era to improve theseconditions on board”.
Members of the Paris MoU who have ratified the MLC after 20 August 2012 willfirst be entitled to conduct PSC inspections 12 months after the date of thisMembers ratification. For these members enforcement of the Merchant Shipping Convention (ILO 147) and the protocol of 1996 to the Merchant ShippingConvention (ILO P147) will initially prevail.
Ships from non-ratifying States should not receive any more favourable treatmentthan ships from States that have ratified the Convention. Under thesecircumstances, the ship will receive a more detailed inspection to ensurecompliance with the MLC.
The first two MLC detentions as reported in Safety4Sea:
- First MLC detention in Denmark
The Liberia flagged offshore supply vessel Atlantic Carrier has for 24 hours been detained in Esbjerg. The Danish Maritime Authority discovered during a control that the crew was without contracts. The detention is the first in Denmark as a result of breach of MLC requirements.
The company behind Atlantic Carrier corrected the situation and the ship will continue to operate in the North Sea, where it operates in connection with the offshore wind farm DanTysk, which is currently under construction.
- Vessel Detention in Canada
The vessel Lia M was detained by the Port State Control of Canada for one day and was ground for detention for following 11 deficiencies: 4 deficiencies for seafarers’ employment agreement (SEA), 2 deficiencies for Wages, 1 deficiency for Collective bargaining agreement, 1 deficiency for emergency equipment for 2-way communication, 1 deficiency forfire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions and 1 forMaritime Labour Certificate.
Following the intervention of PSC and the ITF both the vessels are now MLC compliant.
Find more information in the Safety4Sea articles:
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First MLC detention in Denmark MLC in Action – Vessel Detention in Canada Paris MoU ready for enforcement of Maritime Labour Convention |
