Danish Maritime Secures MLC Certification for Two Inspection Vessels

The Danish Maritime has chosen to have its two inspection vessels certified in connection with Denmark’s implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention. Thus, the Danish Maritime Authority meets the new requirements for seafarers’ conditions of work.

The two inspection vessels JENS SØRENSEN and POUL LØWENØRN are now being certified just as all other ships. The Danish Maritime Authority has decided that the ships are also to meet the requirements. JENS SØRENSEN has just been issued with its certificate, and POUL LØWENØRN is about to be certified on 23 July. The certification as such is made by a classification society.

United Nations’ International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) enters into force on 20 August this year. This means that both new and existing ships engaged in international trade are to be approved and certified before this date.

Global regulations for seafarers

The purpose of the Maritime Labour Convention is to secure seafarers’ working and living conditions worldwide as regards, for example, the contents of employment contracts, free food on board and medical treatment in case of illness. The provisions are not of great practical importance to Danish ships since most of the issues dealt with are already covered by Danish law. It has been possible to have Danish ships certified from 15 March 2013.

Today, 40 countries have ratified the Convention, corresponding to three-fourths of the world tonnage of ships.