Joint PSC Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Crew Wages and Seafarer Employment Agreements and MLC Amendments

Paris, Tokyo and Abuja MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Crew Wages and Seafarer Employment Agreements (MLC, 2006) from 1st September 2024 to 30th November 2024.

The purpose of the campaign is:

1. to create awareness within the shipping industry about the requirements on crew wages and seafarer employment agreements (MLC, 2006); and
   
   
2. to verify that ships comply with these requirements.

During this period of three months, the Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will examine specific areas related to crew wages, seafarer employment agreements (SEAs) and financial securities (repatriation and shipowners’ liability) under MLC, 2006 during regular PSC inspections.

A ship will be subject to only one inspection under this CIC during the period of the campaign.

The PSCOs will use a list of predefined questions during the CIC. If deficiencies are found, actions by the Port State may vary from recording a deficiency and instructing the Master to rectify it within a certain period of time to detaining the ship until the detainable deficiencies have been rectified, or until the Port State has accepted a proposal for a plan of action.

Members are recommended to refer to the attached questionnaire to assist their shipboard team in preparing for the PSC inspections.

Members are also reminded that the 2022 Amendments to the MLC, 2006 will enter into force from 23 December 2024.  As such, Members are recommended to review their processes in line with the following new standards:

1. Standard A3.1 & Guideline B3.1.11: Ensure recreational facilities include social connectivity, telephone communications, and internet access for seafarers.
   
   
2. Standard A3.2: Provide free drinking water and balanced, hygienic meals considering the cultural practices of seafarers.
   
   
3. Standard A4.3: Equip seafarers with appropriately sized personal protective equipment to prevent occupational accidents.
   
   
4. Appendix A2-1 & A4-1: Financial security certificates may now include the name of the registered owner of the ship.