Detainable Maritime Labour Convention 2006-related deficiencis found by Paris MoU authorities

The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC, 2006) has entered into force in August 2013. Shipowners, flag States and port State authorities have an important role in the successful implementation of the MLC, 2006. Port State control (PSC) is responsible for ensuring that ships are in compliance with the requirements of the MLC, 2006. In cases of significant non-compliance ships are detained. This paper analyses the MLC, 2006-related deficiencies that were marked as a ground for detention of ships inspected in areas under the jurisdiction of the Paris MoU in the period 20 August 2013 until 31 December 2014. 390 recorded detainable deficiencies were related to 33 items, mostly belonging to areas “Accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering” and “Conditions of employment”. The fact that 220 ships were detained (a total of 39 based solely on the MLC, 2006-related deficiencies) in 18 port States, suggests that PSC is becoming effective in detecting unacceptable working and living conditions for seafarers on-board. Detention rates on the MLC, 2006 ground vary significantly between port States, indicating that there is a room for harmonisation of PSC procedure. © Faculty of Maritime Studies Rijeka, 2015.