News 04 Nov, 2024 MLC Amendments to enter into force on 23 December 2024 Erin Walton Assistant Corporate Director Amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention adopted by the Special Tripartite Committee in June 2022 will enter into force on 23 December 2024. These will help to provide further protection to seafarers, clarify obligations of Member States, and address lessons learned since previous amendments.   Download PDF Regulation 1.4 – Recruitment and Placement To provide further protection to seafarers, it is now a requirement that prior to or in the process of their engagement they are told of their rights under the system of financial protection established by private recruitment and placement agencies to compensate seafarers for monetary losses. Regulation 2.5 – Repatriation There have been occasions where Clubs have sought to repatriate stranded crew but have been prevented by local authorities who refuse to allow crew to leave the vessel as national laws require the presence of seafarers onboard. The MLC has been amended at 2.5.1 para 9 to include a requirement that Member States facilitate prompt repatriation of seafarers. Seafarers engaged to replace seafarers who had been abandoned shall also be accorded their rights and entitlements under the MLC. Regulations 3.1 and 4.4 – Accommodation and Recreational Facilities To improve mental health by ensuring social connectivity, shipowners, so far as is reasonably practicable, must provide seafarers on board their ships with internet. Charges, if any, must be reasonable. States are to do the same for seafarers on board ships in their ports and anchorages. Regulation 3.2 – Food and Catering Good quality drinking water must be available on board, free of charge to seafarers. Meals must also be balanced. Supplies of food and drinking water will be inspected in relation to their quantity, quality, nutritional value, quality and variety. Regulation 4.1 – Medical care on board and ashore In response to iss