The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) have today released a reminder about the requirement for all  vessel’s calling at Australian ports to be able to provide Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) Certification as from 21st August, 2014.

Reminder on the need for Maritime Labour Convention certification

EFFECTIVE 20 AUGUST 2014

ILO Resolution XVII was adopted prior to the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. This Resolution noted concerns that there were insufficient inspectors to achieve certification of all ships prior to the adoption of the MLC on 20 August 2013. The Resolution recommended that ratifying states be given an additional twelve months to issue certification to vessels under the MLC.

With the extension provided by the ILO Resolution XVII expiring on 20 August 2014, AMSA will apply the following process for the purpose of port State control in Australian ports:

• All vessels belonging to a flag State that has ratified the MLC must be certified as required by the Convention.

• All vessels belonging to a flag State that has not ratified the MLC should have documentary evidence of compliance. Where such evidence is not provided, or is incomplete, the vessel will be subject to a more detailed inspection to the extent necessary to establish compliance.

Note 1: For countries that have ratified the Convention after 20 August 2012, as set out in Article VIII, paragraph 4, the Convention will enter into force 12 months after the date that the country’s ratification is registered. Once this 12-month period has passed, the Convention will enter into force for the country and full certification will be required. During this 12-month period, AMSA will treat the vessel similar to one of a non-ratifying State as detailed above.

Note 2: A list of countries that have ratified and the date of entry into force for each country as well as other national information is available on the ILO MLC, 2006, website under the heading “Ratification and information on implementation” under the link entitled “MLC database” at: www.ilo.org/mlc.

Should additional information be required please refer to www.amsa.gov.au/international/mlc/

Published on Aug 21, 2014