Key Points
Here is a summary of the key points regarding the 2024 Port State Control Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) and its focus on crew wages and seafarer employment agreements under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC):
The Upcoming 2024 CIC:
- The CIC will be conducted from September 1 to November 30, 2024, by port state control authorities globally.
- This year’s CIC will prioritize the inspection of seafarers’ basic rights, particularly in the areas of crew wages and seafarer employment agreements.
Inspection Focus:
- Port state control inspectors will closely examine compliance with MLC requirements on minimum wage, timely payment of wages, and transparency of wage calculations.
- Seafarer employment agreements will be scrutinized to ensure they align with MLC standards on contract terms, working hours, leave entitlements, and repatriation provisions.
Potential Consequences of Non-Compliance:
- Vessels found to have significant deficiencies may face detention, financial penalties, and other enforcement actions by port state authorities.
- Non-compliance can disrupt vessel operations, restrict future port calls, and potentially lead to legal implications for ship owners/operators.
Management systems and PSC
Due to additional international requirements, a PSC inspection will not only focus on technical issues but also take a more systematic approach to evaluate the vessel’s management system implementation. Evidence of improvement needs can be technical issues (e.g. malfunctions due to low maintenance level) as well as operational matters (e.g. familiarization by / training of crew or unawareness of malfunctions). Over the past years, ISM deficiencies have consistently ranked as the most common detainable issue during ship detention.
Recommendations for Compliance:
- Ship owners and operators should implement best practices in managing crew wages and seafarer employment agreements to ensure full alignment with MLC requirements.
- Proactive preparation, including internal audits and contingency planning, can help mitigate the risks associated with the upcoming CIC.
Overall, the 2024 CIC aims to strengthen the enforcement of seafarers’ rights and promote greater accountability within the maritime industry regarding crew wages and employment conditions.
Marine Surveyor Consultant Sagl provides safety inspection services for ships worldwide. Their safety professionals conduct thorough inspections to identify potential safety violations, liability issues, and risk exposures on board ships.
Marine Surveyor Consultant Sagl assists ship owners in proactively addressing safety hazards to prevent damage to their company’s reputation and protect employees. Moreover, Port State Control (PSC) inspections focus on identifying deficiencies in foreign vessels navigating international waters. Promptly addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining safety and compliance at sea.