As the managing owner of a merchant vessel, you must ensure that living and working conditions on board meet the rules of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). Find out when an MLC certificate is required and when you can request an MLC inspection.
Please note: seagoing fishing vessels must comply with the rules of the C188 Convention (in Dutch).
MLC rules for all merchant vessels
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) sets out worldwide rules for the working conditions of seafarers on merchant vessels.
MLC rules apply to all merchant vessels, even if they are not required to hold an MLC certificate. The Wet bemanning zeeschepen (Seagoing vessels crew Act) specifies which ships are not covered by the MLC (in Dutch).
Seafarers are all persons who perform duties on a ship. The Regeling bemanning zeeschepen (Seagoing vessels crew Regulation) states who is not considered a seafarer (in Dutch).
In ports the Netherlands and on ships flying the Dutch flag, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) oversees compliance with the MLC. Merchant vessels may be subject to an MLC inspection in ports in or outside the Netherlands. The ILT may detain a vessel if it breaches the rules.
MLC requirements are implemented in the Netherlands through the Seagoing vessels crew Act (in Dutch), the Seagoing vessels crew Regulation (in Dutch) and Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 7 (Book 7 of the Civil Code, in Dutch).
When an MLC certificate is required
- If your merchant vessel is over 500 GT and engages in international voyages, you must apply for an MLC certificate. This demonstrates that you comply with the MLC.
- If your vessel is under 500 GT, or over 500 GT but does not make international voyages, you can choose how to demonstrate compliance with the MLC: either by applying for an MLC certificate or by requesting an MLC inspection.