Compendium of Maritime Labour Instruments (5th, 2026)

Author: International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Publisher: International Labour Office

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006), entered into force on 20 August 2013 and has been ratified by 112 countries, representing more than 96 per cent of the world gross tonnage of ships. Often called the "bill of rights" for seafarers, it sets out seafarers' rights to decent living and working conditions. Governments, seafarers and shipowners all regard this Convention as a landmark development for the world's most globalized sector and support its full implementation in law and in practice.

Key features

Consolidates and updates the majority (68 out of 72) of the ILO's maritime Conventions (37) and Recommendations adopted since 1920
Includes all currently in-force amendments to the MLC, 2006, reflecting its continued evolution
Includes the latest sets of amendments which were approved by the International Labour Conference in June 2025 and which are expected to enter into force on 23 December 2027
Includes the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185), including the 2016 Amendments to its Annexes and the Work in Fishing Convention (No. 188) and Recommendation (No. 199), 2007
Incorporates the fundamental Conventions of the ILO, and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998) as amended in 2022, supporting a broader understanding of international labour standards
Demonstrates the role of tripartism, social dialogue and international cooperation in addressing maritime labour challenges
Contains an updated Frequently Asked Questions section

Benefits

Supports compliance with international maritime labour standards and regulatory requirements
Helps improve awareness of minimum working and living conditions for seafarers and fishers across global fleets
Provides a single reference point with up-to-date maritime labour instruments
Enables shipowners and operators to get acquainted with international labour standards which ensure a level playing field in a highly globalized industry
Assists policymakers and regulators in implementing and enforcing maritime labour standards
Enhances understanding of evolving requirements, supporting long-term planning and operational resilience