Summary of flag-specific information concerning the MLC 2022 amendments

 

The MLC 2022 Amendments came into force on the 23rd of December 2024. Below is a summary of the information received from flag states mentioned in our MLC-2006 Document Generator. For flag states for which no relevant information is currently included in this overview, we advise users to contact their flag state or Classification Society. In our ISM News Update no.133 we have compiled an overview of which changes have come into effect and how shipowners and employment agencies should deal with them.

 

Antigua & Barbuda

No specific information related to the MLC 2022 Amendments available.

 

Bahamas

The Bahamas Flag declares per 31-1-2024:

  • From the 24th of December 2024 the DMLC II shall show evidence of compliance with the 2022 Amendments, but the MLC Certificate does not need to be reissued.

 

Cayman Islands

No specific information related to the MLC 2022 Amendments available.

 

Cyprus

No specific information related to the MLC 2022 Amendments available.

 

Denmark

The Danish Flag declares per 15-11-2024:

  • Upon entry into force of the MLC 2022 amendments the DMA will start issuing new versions of the DMLC part I, the new version will be published on our website in due time.
  • Due to the entry into force of the 2022 Amendments from the 23th of December 2024 shipowners will need to apply for a new DMLC part I and make changes to their DMLC part II, (if required), no later than next upcoming MLC survey on board.

 

Germany

The German Flag declares per 4-11-2024:

  • The MLC 2022 amendments have not yet been fully implemented into German national law. However, the changes are unlikely to require any amendents to DMLC I.
  • We would also not require the companies to change DMLC II.

 

Isle of Man

No specific information related to the MLC 2022 Amendments available.

 

Liberia

The Liberian Flag declares per 31-10-2024:

  • The amended DMLC I will be issued to the vessel that has been registered o/a 15th Aug 2024. Please see Marine Notice MLC-001 and Marine Advisory 24/2024 on the Flag Specific Information site of Liberia.
  • The 2022 amendments to MLC 2006 enters into force on 23 December 2024. In accordance with Marine Notice MLC-001 and Marine Advisory 24/2024, the DMLC and MLC certificate needs to comply with the requirements of the Convention no later than the date of the first renewal inspection of the MLC Certificate following entry into force of the 22 amendments on 23 December 2024.

In Marine Advisory 24/2024 the Liberian Flag declares:

  • An amended DMLC Part I will be available to:
    • all ships registering with Liberia on or after 15 August 2024;
    • ships registered in Liberia, prior to the first renewal inspection on or after 23 December 2024; and
    • any ship upon request
  • An amended DMLC Part II is required to be submitted to the Administration for review and acceptance prior to the renewal inspection.

 

Luxembourg

No specific information related to the MLC 2022 Amendments available.

 

Malta

The Malta Flag declares per 31-10-2024:

  • It appears that the 2022 amendments to the MLC, 2006, do not necessitate changes/amendments to the DMLC Part I.

 

Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands Flag declares per 01-11-2024:

  • A valid DMLC Part I issued before 23 December 2024 may continue to be maintained until the vessel’s next intermediate or renewal inspection on or after 23 December 2024, at which time a new DMLC Part I according to the revised format will be re-issued upon request from the ship operator.
  • Please refer to our recently updated RMI Marine Notice MN-2-011-33, section 3.1.5
  • Once the new DMLC Part I has been issued based on the above, the DMLC Part II should be submitted to the selected RO/certifying entity for review and endorsement to ensure ongoing compliance with RMI national requirements detailed in the DMLC Part I.

The updated Marine Notice MN-2-011-33 can be found on the Flag Specific Information page of the Marshall Islands Flag on this website.

 

Netherlands

The Netherlands Flag declares per 21-10-2024:

  • At this time, the 2018 and 2022 amendments have not yet been incorporated into our national legislation. It is expected that this will lead to a new version of DMLC part I and the owner may have to adjust DMLC part II based on this, although these are minor changes.
  • Before we can say anything concrete, the changes to the legislation will have to be known and we are still working on that. Because it appears that this will not be possible before December 23, 2024, the policy officers of SZW and DGLM are in consultation with the social partners to see whether a statement can be issued.

 

Norway

The Norwegian Flag declares per 12-11-2024:

  • It will not be necessary to amend the DMLC part I when the MLC changes and associated regulatory changes come into force. The reason behind this is that the proposed regulatory changes only pertain to legislation that is already included in that declaration.
  • However, the company is responsible for ensuring that the procedures referenced in DMLC Part II are updated in accordance with DMLC Part I.

A consultation of the proposed amendments 2022 MLC can be found on the Flag Specific Information page of the Norwegian Flag.

 

Panama

The Panama Flag declares per 31-10-2024:

Please note the followings comments regarding to the MLC 2006 amendments (2022) and the MMN 06-2024, and take in consideration that many aspects of the amendments are already regulated by Panama:

  • The first amendment relates to Regulation 1.4 (Recruitment and placement) and is intended to ensure that seafarers are informed of their rights in relation to the obligation of recruitment and placement services to maintain a system of protection to compensate seafarers for monetary losses, Responsibility of the shipowner and/or placement agency, DMLC Part I Paragraph 5. It must be regulated by the place where the employment agency is located, in Panama Ministry of Labor.
  • The second amendment relates to Regulation 2.5 (Repatriation) and is intended to further facilitate the prompt repatriation of seafarers, including when they are deemed abandoned and to safeguard seafarers who may be placed on ships where seafarer have recently been abandoned, Responsibility of the Flag and Port States.
  • The third set of amendments relates to Regulation 3.1 (Accommodation and recreational facilities) and is intended to ensure that seafarers are provided with appropriate social connectivity by shipowners and that Member States provide internet access in their ports, DMLC Part I Paragraph 9. The social connectivity include the social media and internet, seafarers shall be provided with access to ship-to-shore communications, including internet facilities.
  • The fourth set of amendments relates to Regulation 3.2 (Food and catering) and provides that drinking water of suitable quality shall be made available for seafarers free of charge and highlights the importance of balanced meals on board, DMLC Part I Paragraph 10.
  • The fifth set of amendments relates to Regulation 4.1(Medical care on board ship and ashore) and provides that Member States shall ensure the prompt disembarkation of seafarers in need of immediate medical care from ships in its territory and access to medical facilities ashore for the provision of appropriate treatment. It is further intended to facilitate the repatriation of the body or ashes of seafarers who have died on board, Responsibility of the Flag and Port States.
  • The sixth amendment relates to Regulation 4.3 (Health and safety protection and accident prevention) and is intended to ensure that seafarers have appropriately-sized personal protective equipment, DMLC Part I Paragraph 11 and  the circulars MMC 274 and MMC 367.
  • The seventh set of amendments relates to Regulation 4.3 (Health and safety protection and accident prevention) and provides that all deaths of seafarers shall be adequately investigated, recorded and reported annually to the ILO to be published in a global register, Responsibility of the Flag States, Casualty or Investigation Departments (MMC 184, MMC 274).
  • The eighth set of amendments relates to Appendix A2-I (Evidence of financial security under Regulation 2.5, paragraph 2) and Appendix A4-I (Evidence of financial security under Regulation 4.2). They intend to facilitate the functioning of the system of financial security by accepting a reference to the name of the registered owner of the ship when it is different from the shipowner, included in the circulars MMC 336 and MMC 269 from July 2018, DMLC Part I Paragraphs 15 and 16. 

MMN-06-2024 can be found on the Flag Specific Information page of the Panama Flag on this website.

 

Singapore

The Singapore Flag declares per 15-11-2024:

  • Please kindly await further guidance from MPA in due course.

 

St. Vincent & Grenadines

No specific information related to the MLC 2022 Amendments.

 

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom declares per 01-11-2024:

  • We have just issued the following guidance: MIN 714 (M) Proposed Implementation of MLC 2006, amendments 2022
  • MIN 714 (M) stated that: UK vessels are not required to amend their DMLC-II until new MLC 2006, amendments are put into effect in UK laws and the MCA issues the new DMLC-I for the vessel. However, the compliance to MLC amendments has to be demonstrated and implemented on those vessels which will be trading internationally on or after 23 December 2024.

A summary of proposed changes in MIN 714 (M)(Annex A, valid until the 30th of September 2025) can be found on the Flag Specific Information page of the United Kingdom Flag on this website.