Safety Management Documentation Models for the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), which will enter into force in 2012 or 2013, focuses on seafarers’ rights, safety and health in order to promote a better shipping environment. A Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance Part II (DMLC II) is required to state the measures taken to ensure the quality of seafarers’ living and working conditions on-board a ship. It is a challenge for ship owners to establish such a document and fit it into the existing safety management systems, International Safety Management Code (ISM). This paper proposes four possible documentation models of the ship owners’ management system to cover the DMLC II with pros and cons. An appropriate documentation model not only benefits owners with regard to enforcement of the MLC, 2006, but also helps the flag and port state administrations to perform effective and efficient inspections.