The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) on December 19, 2024, notified regarding the ILO 110th session amendments (2022) to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006.
The International Labour Conference (ILO) in its 110th session adopted a series of significant amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006. These amendments were adopted to address the challenges observed during the COVID-19 pandemic and are intended to strengthen the rights of seafarers, ensure their well-being, provide them secure environment in the Maritime Industry and are set to enter into force globally on December 23, 2024.
The member states party to MLC, 2006 including India, are responsible for implementing the said amendments. The Directorate General of Shipping, Govt. of India hereby issues directives to Indian shipowners, Managers and Recruitment and Placement Service Licenses (RPSL) agencies to ensure full and effective compliance to the listed amendments by updating their Safety Management Systems (SMS), Crewing Manuals and Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) as required.
The following listed compliance mechanism shall be applicable for all the above listed MLC amendments effective and in force from December 23, 2024:
• Existing MLC and DMLCs (DMLC Part I and Part II) that have been issued prior to the entry into force of the amendments will continue to remain valid. However, they shall be amended no later than the date of the first renewal inspection or next intermediate inspections on or after 23 December 2024 following entry into force of the amendments.
• Shipowners and Shipmanagers are required to amend their policies as well as their procedures, manuals and related documentation suitably to reflect the new requirements or amendments.
• Shipowners and Shipmanagers shall update their DMLC Part I and Part II, initially by way of an addendum and self-attested by DPA and shall be kept appended to the vessel's existing MLC Certificate as evidence of compliance with the amendments.
• RPS agents are required to amend their policies as well as their procedures, manuals and related documentation suitably to reflect the new requirements / amendments no later than the date of the next annual /renewal on or after 23 December 2024 following entry into force of the amendments.
• Vessels being registered as Indian flag on or after 23 December 2024 must have a new DMLC Part 1 & 11 updated with the latest amendments.
[DGS Order No. 21 of 2024]
