1. 5th Annual Norwegian Sea
Health Conference, Bergen
Maritime Labour Convention,
2006:
How will Liberia implement
the Convention?
Jonathan Spremulli CEng CMarEng MIMarEST
General Manager, LISCR (UK) Limited

2. Registry Overview: LIBERIA’S CURRENT FLEET
 3,850 Vessels
 128 Million GT
 12.5% of World’s Ocean Going Fleet

3. STRONG GROWTH TODAY
3,850 Ships
128 Mil. GT
Ships Gross Tonnage (Millions)
10-Year Growth 1967 71 mil.
% Growth 115% 133%

4. FLEET SIZE: HISTORY AND FUTURE TODAY
3,850 Ships
128 Mil. GT

5. LIBERIAN FLEET BY VESSEL TYPE

6. DISTRIBUTION OF LIBERIA’S NETWORK
World-wide Network of Inspectors & Auditors

7. LIBERIAN FLEET BY RECOGNISED ORGANISATION
CCS
LRS
GL 1%
16% KRS
27%
<1%
NKK
11%
RS
RINA 3%
2%
DNV ABS
BV 18%
15%
7%

8. LIBERIAN REGISTRY – QUALITY REPUTATION
Average Fleet Age < 13 years
Tokyo MOU
Top Tier Records Paris MOU – Low Risk Flag
US Coast Guard – QUALSHIP 21
BIMCO
Top Ranking in
INTERCARGO
Flag State Performance
INTERTANKO
Table
INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF SHIPPING
(Liberian Shipowners Council-member of ICS)
* As determined by the Round table of INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING FEDERATION
International Shipping OCIMF / SIRE
Associations
RIGHTSHIP (HIGHEST POSSIBLE SCORE +5)

9. How will Liberia implement the Convention?

10. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Purpose of MLC, 2006
The Maritime Labour Convention has two primary
purposes:
• To ensure “Decent Work” to all seafarers
• To ensure a “Level Playing Field”- Fair
Competition
It will be the “Fourth Pillar” to the international
maritime regulatory regime

11. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Seafarers’ rights under MLC, 2006
Article IV - Seafarers’ employment and social rights
• All seafarers are entitled to:
 a safe and secure workplace
 fair terms of employment
 decent working and living conditions
 health protection, medical care, welfare
measures and other forms of social protection
• Rights are then set out in detail in the Titles
(in the Regulations and Code provisions)

12. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Regulation 4.1: Medical care on board ship and
ashore
• Seafarers are entitled to health protection and
medical care on board ship
• Right to visit a qualified medical doctor or dentist
for essential dental care
• Medical care in principle must be at no cost to the
seafarer

13. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Regulation 4.1: Medical care on board ship and
ashore
• Standard medical form accepted by Liberia must
be used on board.
• Medical log to record treatment on-board and
ashore
• Carry on board a medical doctor / or at least one
person to provide medical care of medical first aid

14. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Regulation 4.1: Medical care on board ship and
ashore
• Shall carry current edition of WHO International
Medical Guide for ships, MFAG and MSDS sheets
• Ships on international voyages shall carry the
International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and
Rescue (IAMSAR) manual
• Shall carry up-to-date list of radio stations through
which medical advice can be obtained

15. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Regulation 4.2: Shipowners’ liability
• Shipowners must bear the costs of sickness and
injury while serving under a seafarers employment
agreement or arising from their employment while
serving under such an agreement.
• Shipowners must bear the expense of medical
care, treatment, medicines, and board and lodging
away from home until recovery or until declared
permanently unfit, which may be limited to a period
of not less than 16 weeks

16. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Regulation 4.2: Shipowners’ liability
• Where sickness or injury results in incapacity for
work, full wages to be paid until repatriated.
• Shipowners shall pay at least one-third of the basic
wages from the day a seafarer is repatriated until
their recovery, which may be limited to a period of
not less than 16 weeks
• CBA’s may provide for more favourable terms and
conditions than those provided for above

17. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Regulation 4.2: Shipowners’ liability
• Pay monetary compensation in case of death, pay
the costs of transporting the remains and burial
expenses if death occurs during period of
engagement
• Shipowners must provide evidence of financial
security

18. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Regulation 4.5: Social Security
• Labour-supplying state that is party to MLC, 2006
must ensure social security protection
• Must provide at least three (3) of the nine (9)
benefits under standard A4.5.1
• Arrangements may be through bilateral and
multilateral agreements, and through private
schemes or through CBA’s

19. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Regulation 4.5: Social Security
• Labour-supplying state is not party to MLC, 2006,
the shipowner is required to ensure that seafarers
are provided with the benefits
• Seafarers employment agreement shall identify the
social security protection provided
• Mandatory contributions identified in the
employment agreement must be made on time

20. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Regulation 2.1 – Seafarers’ employment agreement
• The employment agreement must contain the
minimum particulars in standard A 2.14, which
includes:
– Shipowner’s name and address
– Entitlement to repatriation
– Health protection benefits under Standards A 4.1 and
A4.2
– Social security protection benefits under Standard A4.5
– Reference to the applicable CBA

21. How will Liberia implement the Convention?
Regulation 5.1 - Flag State Responsibilities
• DMLC Part I and Marine Notices lay down the
measures
• DMLC Part II review questionnaire provided
• Review of DMLC Part II by the Administration
• Over 100 MLC inspectors trained to inspect and
certify
• Commenced certifying recruitment and placement
services
• Registry website: www.liscr.com

22. Questions or Comments?
Thank You for Listening

23. THE LIBERIAN REGISTRY
ESTABLISHED IN
DISCOVER THE WORLD’S
LEADING SHIP REGISTRY 1948