MLC Inspection Campaign Successful

Port state control officers in the Paris MoU region performed a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) from September to November 2016 – and were generally satisfied with the results.

The aim of the campaign was to verify that the minimum standards for working and living conditions have been implemented on board and to create more awareness of the convention's requirements.

Over 3,600 questionnaires were completed during regular inspections. The campaign resulted in 42 detentions (1.1 percent) directly linked to MLC requirements checked by the questionnaire. 

Positive results were recorded on certificates attesting medical fitness (98.2 percent), the verification of records of the inspections of the accommodation (98 percent), food and catering (97.4 percent), and whether a safety committee has been established (99.1 percent).

Less positive results on non-compliance were recorded on Seafarers Employment Agreements not being compliant with minimum standards (6.5 percent) and the availability of an onboard complaint procedure (five percent).

Most of the 3,674 CIC inspections carried out on board ships were flying the flags of Panama with 433 (11.8 percent) inspections, Malta with 328 (8.9 percent) and Liberia with 314 (8.5 percent).

The MoU's 2015 CIC relating to enclosed spaces resulted in 54 detentions. A 2014 CIC on hours of rest resulted in 16 detentions. However, the MoU notes that the detention rate (0.4 percent) was low because that detention was not always the most appropriate action, as the breach of hours of rest may have happened in the past.

The Paris MoU held its 50th Committee meeting in Gdansk, Poland, in May, with members agreeing to conduct a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on ECDIS in partnership with the Tokyo MoU from September to November 2017. The CIC aims at checking the compliance with Safety of Navigation, including Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (ECDIS).