Maritime Labour Convention

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The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) entered into force on 20 August 2013. In April 2014 the International Labour Organisation (ILO) agreed several amendments to the MLC to implement the principles agreed back in 2009 by the joint IMO/ILO financial security working group. These amendments entered into force on 18 January 2017.

Ships that are subject to the MLC will, after this date, be required to display certificates issued by an insurer or other financial security provider confirming that insurance or other financial security is in place for the cost and expense of crew repatriation, as well as for up to four months contractually entitled arrears of wages and entitlements following abandonment (MLC Regulation 2.5.2 Standard A2.5.2, as amended). A further certificate will be required for liabilities for contractual claims arising from seafarer personal injury, disability or death (MLC Regulation 4.2 Standard A4.2.1 paragraph 1(b), as amended).

The Boards of all the Clubs in the International Group (IG) have decided that Clubs should provide the necessary certification on the terms set out in the MLC Extension Clause 2016. Members requiring MLC Certificates must apply using the application form or via MyGard.

Additional information on the amendments and how to obtain the MLC Certificates follows below. For information on the application process, please see Circular No. 16/2016:

• Circular No. 11/2016
• Circular No. 13/2016
• Circular No. 16/2016
• Application form
• MLC Certificate templates
• MLC Extension Clause 2016
• International Group of P&I Clubs' FAQ on the MLC
• Information on the MLC from the ILO
• ILO FAQ on the MLC

Any questions concerning the MLC can be addressed to your usual contact at Gard or Gard’s MLC Consultancy Group.