This document summarizes how Liberia plans to implement the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006. It will do so by ensuring seafarers' rights to decent work and fair competition through regulations on medical care, shipowners' liability, social security, employment agreements, and flag state responsibilities. Liberia has over 3,800 vessels in its fleet and will train inspectors and provide guidelines to shipowners on complying with the Convention's standards regarding areas like health, wages, and repatriation. The presentation provides an overview of Liberia's large, high-quality fleet and regulatory approach to upholding seafarers' welfare under international maritime law.

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