Maritime
IMO Welcomes Entry Into Force Of Financial Security For Seafarers
I
MO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has welcomed the entry into force today ( 18 January ) of new obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention ( MLC 2006 ) which require shipowners to have compulsory insurance to cover abandonment of seafarers , as well as claims for death or long-term disability of seafarers .
The 2014 amendments to the MLC 2006 , which comes under the auspices of the International Labour Organization ( ILO ), are based on guidelines which were developed by a joint IMO / ILO working group , which reported to both IMO ’ s Legal Committee and ILO ’ s governing bodies .
“ These amendments , which will provide better protection for seafarers and their families , are the fruit of successful collaboration between IMO and ILO to ensure better working conditions and better protection should things go wrong . I am very pleased to see these amendments enter into force today for the Parties to MLC 2006 , all of which are also IMO Member States ,” Mr . Lim said .
“ Seafarers make global trade possible and it is vital that we all work together to ensure their rights are protected . It has often been said that the MLC 2006 represents the fourth pillar when it comes to the most important maritime treaties as it complements the IMO treaties covering safety – the SOLAS treaty , pollution prevention – the MARPOL treaty and training of seafarers – the STCW treaty ,” Mr . Lim said .
The 2014 amendments to the MLC 2006 require that a certificate or other documentary evidence of financial security has to be issued by the financial security provider of the shipowner . This certificate has to be carried on board the ship .
The amendments were developed over nearly a decade of discussion in a Joint IMO / ILO Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Liability and Compensation regarding Claims for Death , Personal Injury and Abandonment of Seafarers .
IMO ’ s Legal Committee maintains a standing agenda item , to keep under review the provision of financial security in case of abandonment of seafarers , and shipowners ’ responsibilities in respect of contractual claims for personal injury to , or death of seafarers .
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