Malta has introduced the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 implementing crucial reforms designed to strengthen seafarers' rights and improve working conditions on Maltese-flagged ships.
These amendments focus on enhancing financial security, ensuring fair wages, improving safety standards, and providing better onboard facilities. With these changes, Malta reaffirms its commitment to aligning maritime practices with international labour standards and safeguarding the welfare of those working at sea. Below are the key aspects of these amendments:
System of Protection
- Shipowners and recruitment services must have insurance or equivalent protection to compensate seafarers for monetary losses due to recruitment failures or employer breaches.
- Seafarers must be informed of their rights under this system before or during employment.
Wages Not Dependent on Freight
- Seafarers are entitled to wages regardless of whether freight is earned.
Catering Standards
- Catering departments must ensure the provision of nutritious, varied, and hygienic meals for seafarers.
Personal Protective Equipment
- Shipowners must provide appropriately sized protective gear and take precautions against occupational hazards, harmful chemicals, and machinery-related injuries.
Mandatory Reporting of Seafarer Deaths
- Shipowners must adequately investigate, document, and report all deaths of seafarers on Maltese-flagged ships to the relevant authority.
Improved Recreational Facilities
- Ships must offer recreational amenities and social connectivity, considering health, safety, and accident prevention.
Enhanced Communication Access
- Reasonable access to ship-to-shore telephone communication must be provided, with fair pricing.
- Internet access should be available where practicable, with reasonable charges if applicable.
The amendments to the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Amendment) Rules, 2025, mark a significant step forward in safeguarding the rights and well-being of seafarers aboard Maltese-flagged vessels. By reinforcing financial protections, improving living and working conditions, and prioritizing seafarer welfare, Malta continues to demonstrate its proactive approach to maritime labour regulation. These changes not only reflect the country’s adherence to international standards but also reinforce its role as a responsible and forward-thinking maritime jurisdiction.
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