Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention - Fifth Edition

The latest edition of the industry's essential Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) guide.

The 'Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention' are the definitive reference for maritime employment standards, and the latest edition is designed to help shipping companies move from regulation to action with confidence.

This fifth edition prepares shipowners, operators and managers for the 2025 amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, translating complex requirements into clear, practical guidance that works on board and ashore. It supports better living and working conditions for the 1.89 million seafarers who keep global trade moving, while helping companies demonstrate compliance during inspections and audits.

What's new in the latest edition:

- Guidance on seafarer key worker designation

- Strengthened requirements for fair treatment and repatriation, in the event of abandonment

- New mandatory measures supporting visa-free shore leave

- Enhanced protections against violence, harassment, bullying and sexual harassment, aligned with ILO Convention C190

- Stronger safeguards for the confidential handling of seafarer complaints

- Updated requirements for onboard welfare facilities, including sanitary products

To support real-world application, this ICS guide includes redesigned, inspection-ready checklists, clear colour-coding to distinguish mandatory MLC requirements from guidance, and concise summary boxes for time-pressed readers. New best-practice sections cover the use of crewing agencies and practical measures to prevent violence and harassment, with policy templates included.

Written for shipping companies, crewing agents, superintendents, maritime colleges, flag and port state inspectors, and anyone involved in the employment of seafarers, these guidelines are particularly valuable for masters, senior officers, HR teams and shoreside personnel.

The latest edition of the 'Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention' sits alongside other core ICS publications, including the 'Guidelines on the IMO STCW Convention' and the 'International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers', now referenced within the MLC as recommended onboard medical guidance.

It is the benchmark ICS guide for MLC compliance. Practical, authoritative and ready for inspection.

ICS

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for the shipping industry, representing shipowners and operators in all sectors and trades. ICS membership comprises national shipowners' associations in Asia, Europe and the Americas whose member shipping companies operate over 80% of the world's merchant tonnage.

Established in 1921, ICS is concerned with all technical, legal, employment affairs and policy issues that may affect international shipping.

ICS represents shipowners with the various intergovernmental regulatory bodies that impact on shipping, including the International Maritime Organization.

ICS also develops best practices and guidance, including a wide range of publications and free resources that are used by ship operators globally.

https://www.ics-shipping.org/about-ics/