The industry’s four pillars: safety, environment, education, and working conditions
Four key conventions – MLC, SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW – provide a unique regulatory framework for the world’s ocean shipping industry, ensuring high standards of safety, environment protection, training and working conditions on board.
International maritime shipping is unique: no other industry is governed by such a stringent, global set of rules. At its core are four conventions, known as the “four pillars” of international maritime law. They guarantee uniform global standards for safety, environment protection, training, and social conditions on board.
(1) MLC – Maritime Labour Convention
The Maritime Labour Convention of the International Labour Organization (ILO) sets minimum standards for the working and living conditions of seafarers, regardless of the ship’s flag. The MLC stipulates requirements such as:
- Working and resting times
- Accommodation, alimentation and medical care
- Insurance and social security
- Complaint-handling mechanisms
Port states may detain ships in the event of violations. The MLC thus provides a means to prevent labour and social standards from being compromised anywhere in the world, ensuring fair competition among shipping companies.
Four key conventions define global standards for maritime shipping: SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW and MLC.
(2) SOLAS – International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
SOLAS is the oldest and most comprehensive set of rules for safety at sea. Created after the sinking of the “Titanic”, the convention today includes regulations for:
- Ship stability and design
- Fire protection and rescue facilities
- Radio and navigation equipment
- Safety requirements in special shipping regions (e.g. the Arctic)
The convention is updated continuously, most recently in response to the Costa Concordia incident. It is the basis for safety checks performed worldwide.
(3) MARPOL – International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
MARPOL is the most important international agreement for the protection of the marine environment. Its six annexes regulate, among other things:
- Prevention of oil and chemical leaks
- Waste disposal at sea
- Air pollution control (e.g. sulphur limits in emission control areas)
- Energy efficiency and CO₂ abatement
MARPOL is regularly updated in response to new environmental requirements. It applies to all ships on international routes.
(4) STCW – Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
STCW defines globally binding minimum standards for training and qualification of seafarers. The aim is to ensure safety at sea and the protection of the environment by qualified personnel. The convention covers:
- Requirements for captains, officers and crew
- Special training related to tankers and passenger ships
- Regulations on security services and emergency measures
- Regular review and updating of standards
STCW ensures international comparability of qualifications and promotes professionalism in seafaring.
Contact
Carsten Duif
Press- and Communications Officer
+49 40 35097-238