First MLC Certificate Awarded

News

28 January 2010 - Robin Jackson

The world’s first ship to be issued with a Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) certificate, late in November 2009, was the Greek Flag vessel M/T Seacrown, a product tanker operated by Thenamaris Ships Management.

The vessel was inspected by two MLC Inspectors from DNV together with representatives of Thenamaris and found to be in full compliance with all 14 chapters and requirements of this new maritime Convention. The Captain of the ship, Capt. Christos Markou, the Greek officers and Filipino crew were all extremely cooperative and honoured to be in command of, or serving on, the vessel recognised as the first to comply totally with all the chapters of a Convention that relates to care of people, training standards and good management practices on board.

Mr. Vordonis, Executive Director of Thenamaris, described the thinking which led them to the decision.

“The MLC brings together the best practices of the industry and reconfirms basic human rights, respect to the individual, equality among international seafarers and sets the foundation for fair and good management principles to be applied on board. Special care is given to issues of safety and competence, fatigue and recreation, and in general it helps ensure good living conditions and employment terms for all on board. We feel that the Convention rightly focuses on the most precious asset of our shipping community - our seafarers.
We took the initiative to work with DNV to ensure our shore and vessel based systems are consistent with the new rules well ahead of compliance deadlines.”

The vessel was inspected by two MLC Inspectors from DNV together with representatives of Thenamaris and found to be in full compliance with all 14 chapters and requirements of this new maritime Convention. The Captain of the ship, Capt. Christos Markou, the Greek officers and Filipino crew were all extremely cooperative and honoured to be in command of, or serving on, the vessel recognised as the first to comply totally with all the chapters of a Convention that relates to care of people, training standards and good management practices on board.

Mr. Vordonis, Executive Director of Thenamaris, described the thinking which led them to the decision.

“The MLC brings together the best practices of the industry and reconfirms basic human rights, respect to the individual, equality among international seafarers and sets the foundation for fair and good management principles to be applied on board. Special care is given to issues of safety and competence, fatigue and recreation, and in general it helps ensure good living conditions and employment terms for all on board. We feel that the Convention rightly focuses on the most precious asset of our shipping community - our seafarers.
We took the initiative to work with DNV to ensure our shore and vessel based systems are consistent with the new rules well ahead of compliance deadlines.”

Comment on this story

Comment By: Clyde Marine Recruitment

Posted: 2010-10-22 14:58:15

Clyde Marine Recruitment first to achieve MLC accreditation, Clyde Marine Recruitment is the first UK manning office to be approved by Lloyds Register for provision of manpower to ship owners, ship managers and ship operators incorporating the requirements of the International Labour Organisation's Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006) as applicable to recruitment and placements. This accreditation replaces the former ASMO (Approved Seafarer Manning Office) which Clyde Marine were also first to achieve in the UK.

Comment By: JOHNNY SIM

Posted: 2010-10-22 14:58:25

My heartiest congratualtions to M/T Seacrown and Thenamaris Ships Management on the award of the first MLC from the Greece Flag Registry / Administration. , However before the official announcements of the ratifications by the ILO (in attaining the 30th member state\'s signature), we may have to verify with the Flag States, and their authorized Classification Societies in the manner of their issuance of the MLC.
Question 1: May I know if Greece has ratified the MLC 2006 yet? If not, how was it possible to issue the MLC?
Question 2: Are all Greek flagged vessels owners notified or informed of the DMLC Part I? If not, how can the ships prepare for it?
Question 3: How any other Greek flagged ships are awaiting / or had been awarded this MLC? And if they have a valid MLC, is the validity extended when the ILO makes the official announcement, i.e. 5 years after the ILO announcement, or after the last onboard inspection?
Kindly assist with these questions.
Thank You in Advance

Comment By: Clyde Marine Recruitment

Posted: 2010-10-25 13:00:30

Clyde Marine Recruitment first to achieve MLC accreditation, Clyde Marine Recruitment is the first UK manning office to be approved by Lloyds Register for provision of manpower to ship owners, ship managers and ship operators incorporating the requirements of the International Labour Organisation's Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006) as applicable to recruitment and placements. This accreditation replaces the former ASMO (Approved Seafarer Manning Office) which Clyde Marine were also first to achieve in the UK.

Comment By: JOHNNY SIM

Posted: 2010-10-25 13:01:09

My heartiest congratualtions to M/T Seacrown and Thenamaris Ships Management on the award of the first MLC from the Greece Flag Registry / Administration. , However before the official announcements of the ratifications by the ILO (in attaining the 30th member state\'s signature), we may have to verify with the Flag States, and their authorized Classification Societies in the manner of their issuance of the MLC. Question 1: May I know if Greece has ratified the MLC 2006 yet? If not, how was it possible to issue the MLC? Question 2: Are all Greek flagged vessels owners notified or informed of the DMLC Part I? If not, how can the ships prepare for it? Question 3: How any other Greek flagged ships are awaiting / or had been awarded this MLC? And if they have a valid MLC, is the validity extended when the ILO makes the official announcement, i.e. 5 years after the ILO announcement, or after the last onboard inspection? Kindly assist with these questions. Thank You in Advance

Comment By: David Dearsley

Posted: 2010-11-13 09:20:03

Hi All

1. Greece has not yet ratified the MLC, but is expected to do so in just a few months. The administration or classification society might issue a certificate of compliance or even an MLC if they think that a ship (not a company) is in compliance, but this is not the same as a full official ILO-recognised MLC document

2. Very few flag states have yet issued Part 1 of the DMLC, so it is impossible for companies to complete Part 2.

3. The situation is that all Greek flag ships still need official documentation recognised by ILO and that once 30 countries have ratified - probably in Spring next year - 12 months will elapse before all ships must have certification. Even then, there is a recommendation from ILO that port state inspections should focus on passenger ships and dangerous cargo ships first.

Comment By: Peter McEwen

Posted: 2010-11-13 09:30:27

Johnny Sim is spot on. Ditto re Clyde Marine. Noody can have a formalMLC anything until it comes into force in 2012 at the earliest!! Very pleased to see preparations going ahead in Greece (not yet ratified) and I very much hope also in all matitime countries including those that have ratified....

Comment By: Cedric D'Souza

Posted: 2011-05-19 20:10:03

1. A flag that has ratified the Convention may issue a full term MLC in accordance with MLC, 2006 A5.1.3.1 2. In order to have a full term MLC, a DMLC part I and Part II is required. 3. Where an MLC is issued in accordance with A5.1.3.1, by a flag that has ratified the Convention, the validity of teh MLC shall not exceed five (5) years. This holds good even after teh Convention formally enters into force.

Comment By: Cedric D'souza

Posted: 2011-05-19 20:18:51

Liberia was the first flag state to issue a MLC to one of its ships in March 2011. The DMLC part II was reviewed, accepted and the on-board inspection and verification was carried out by one of their Inspectors who completed the MLC training Course held by Liberia.

Comment By: Budi

Posted: 2012-02-01 08:38:14

I'am working at Crewing & Manning at Jakarta, how to get MLC certificate at Indonesia?

Comment By: David Dearsley

Posted: 2012-02-02 09:49:56

I assume you are what the MLC calls a "recruitment and placement service" ie. a manning agent for foreign or domestic principals. If manning agents in Indonesia are issued with licenses to operate by the authorities you must have one. But you cannot obtain an MLC certificate as these are only issued to "shipowners" by flag states that ratify the MLC - this will not apply to you I think. If you will need to be able to demonstrate to overseas principles that you can supply seafarers to them in compliance with the MLC you should work through Title 1 Regulation 1.4 of the MLC and make sure you have formal procedures in place to confirm compliance. Hope this helps David