Mr Phoon: All must be trained to the exacting standards of MLC 2006 – requiring time, resources – PHOTO: SINGAPORE SHIPPING ASSOCIATION

MPA working with parties to comply with Maritime Labour Convention

SINGAPORE – still the only Asian signatory to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 that ensures the rights of 1.2 million seafarers – will be introducing new legislation in time for when the MLC is likely to come into force in Q4 2013.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore told BT: “The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is currently working with the relevant stakeholders on this and expect to complete this within a year.”

Singapore ratified the MLC last June, five years after it was adopted at the International Labour Conference under the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

There are currently 29 ratifications to the MLC, representing 58 per cent of the world gross shipping tonnage. Once the 30th and final state comes on board, the convention will come into force 12 months later.

Source: Business Times