The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 – A Long-awaited Change in the Maritime Sector

The article aims at analyzing a reference legal instrument for seafarers’ rights – the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. Created due to the lack of relevance of the body of international labour standards in the maritime sector, the Convention lays down in its regulations a firm set of principles and rights for an entire global industry. Maritime Labour Convention is intended to complement three key maritime conventions, SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW as well as to become the fourth pillar of an international regulatory regime for quality shipping. It is internationally unique in that it aims both to ensure decent working conditions on board and a fair framework for ship-owners operating ships under the flag of States that have ratified the Convention. This article aims to highlight the innovative aspects introduced and in the subsidiary, to what extent the Convention resolves the challenges of implementing at the flag state level and also, the possible loopholes of it.