MLC treaty welcomed

The MLC treaty, which has been ratified by 48 countries, aims to achieve decent work for the world’s seafarers and secure economic interests in fair competition for quality shipowners.

The MLC is considered the ‘fourth pillar’ of the most important maritime regulations covering international shipping, complementing three major conventions adopted by IMO: the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS); the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL); and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). These three IMO treaties were first adopted in the 1970s and have each been ratified by more than 150 countries, representing more than 99% of world merchant shipping.