UK to make four legislative changes to align with MLC 2022

Four changes to UK law are set to come into effect in 2025 to align with the 2022 amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

While six of the MLC updates were already covered by existing UK legislation, Marine Information Notice 714 by the UK government lists four areas in need of update: cover for repatriation costs; access to social communications; a balanced, varied and nutritious diet; and financial accountability for a ship’s operation.

Public consultation will be undertaken before updates are made to UK legislation, but the government has published the purpose of the changes to MLC and the underlying objective.

The updates will strengthen wording requiring Recruitment and Placement Services (RPS) to give adequate information about protections from monetary loss in the event either the employer or RPS fail to meet their obligations. The amendment aims to ensure a seafarer is not left to foot the bill in the event they travel to board a ship and find the position is no longer available.

“This became a major concern during the pandemic with vessels ceasing to trade, ports closing and other aspects involved where recruitment placements failed,” a summary of the legal changes states.

Social connectivity will be added to a list of accommodation and recreational provisions, mandating access to social media, messaging apps and other social communications for seafarers to enable seafarers to stay connected to friends and family.

Related:UK Government boosts seafarer employment protections

The third update relates to onboard catering, adding the word “balanced” to the list of dietary requirements for for seafarers. The UK has interpreted the word to mean “a mixed diet of

carbohydrates, protein, fat, fibre, vitamins and minerals”.

The last amendment seeks to clarify the entity financially responsible for deficiencies, processes, and procedures onboard a ship by requiring the certificate of financial security to list both the shipowner and registered owner of a vessel if they are not the same.

Ships operating in UK waters will not need to meet requirements of the 2022 amendments until they enter into UK law in 2025, and port state control inspections will not enforce compliance until the same date.