Marshall Islands authorizes GL to carry out MLC inspections
The Republic of the Marshall Islands extends the scope of Germanischer Lloyd's (GL) authorization as Recognized Organization to carry out inspections and issue certificates under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006).
GL offers ship owners, managers and yards a comprehensive ILO certification package in order to meet the requirements and speed up the issuing of a compulsive certificate by 2011. The MLC 2006 has been introduced by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). All vessels of 500gt or above on international voyages will need to demonstrate a valid MLC 2006 certificate.
GL already documented shipping companies' compliance on a voluntary basis and is prepared for a smooth transition from the MLC Statement of Compliance to the flag state certificate. To help ship owners identify necessary improvements GL offers a self-assessment tool. In addition, with a gap analysis on board, GL can determine what needs to be improved before the ship fulfils the requirements of the MLC 2006. The GL Academy has already provided seminars and workshops on the MLC 2006 in Germany, Greece, Poland, Singapore, China and the United Arab Emirates.
To ensure compliance with the requirements well in advance, GL offers advice on flag state implementation, review of the Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance and initial inspections on board as well as the issuance of the MLC Statement of Compliance. Furthermore, several flag states consult with GL as Recognized Organization on the implementation of the MLC 2006.
The MLC 2006 regulates working and living conditions for seafarers and helps to create conditions of fair competition for ship owners. The ILO convention replaces earlier labour conventions and is seen as the ‘fourth pillar’ of maritime regulation beside SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW conventions. The MLC 2006 will come into force twelve months after ratification by at least 30 ILO member countries with a total share of at least 33 percent of the world's gross tonnage. To date, Bahamas, Liberia, Panama, Norway, the Marshall Islands, Spain, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have ratified the convention.
