"For the first time in ILO legislation, the Code refers to seafarers as key workers". It has underlined the spokesperson of the Seafarers group and vice president of the Seafarers' Section of the International Trade Union Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), Mark Dickinson, commenting the outcome of the work of the fifth meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee of the International Labour Organization (IMO), which is in charge of evaluating and proposing amendments to Maritime Labour 2006 convention. It is expected that the new measures adopted by the ILOlast week in Geneva are approved during the 113th session of the ILO International Labour Conference in scheduled from 2 to 13 June and it is expected that they will enter into in force just over two years later, in December 2027.

The ITF pointed out that with the number of significant changes rules on seafarers' rights and with the definition of "key workers" of seafarers, supported by a resolution calling for their rapid recognition, a Important step forward in seafarers' rights with the aim of ensuring that seafarers receive better protection, easier access to medical care and travel and more decisive support at all times.

"The treatment reserved for seafarers during Covid-19 - observed Dickinson - has not been forgotten and we have Make sure, as far as possible, that it does not happen again. We also have obtained clear commitments from governments on the treatment of seafarers on licence on shore, on repatriation and access to medical assistance". "We have also obtained - he added - the commitment to take further action on the hours of work and rest and we expect future discussions address the lack of enforcement of current and exemptions, but also, in cooperation with the IMO, we will review the current limits on working and rest hours to reduce fatigue." "The guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers - Dickinson pointed out - are now included in a mandatory provision in the Code, which binds governments to keep in mind due consideration of the guidelines relating to accidents and alleged crimes. This is a real step significant in our ongoing fight against treatment and the criminalization of seafarers is unjust."

"To the seafarers," concluded the ITF representative must be guaranteed a fulfilling career in which all their rights are protected and respected. And this week we have taken another important step towards this future".

The shipowners' association International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has welcomed the series of updates to the Maritime Labour Convention entered into force in 2013: "We are - underlined Tim Springett, chairman of the Committee Trade Union Affairs of the ICS and spokesperson of the Shipowners' Group at the ILO meeting - to achieve significant improvements in the seafarers' rights, in cooperation with our government and the social partners. The results of the Special Tripartite Committee show that, whatever the problem our industry is facing faces, when we unite, we can solve it."

"This - added Helio Vicente, Director of Labour - was a historic and successful week of the Negotiations. Working alongside national governments and trade unions of transport workers, under the auspices of the ILO, we have potentially transformative changes for seafarers, and for the sector. These developments demonstrate our commitment to improve the lives and working conditions of all over the world".

The ICS noted that another noteworthy development of the last week's session was the agreement for the inclusion in the MLC of a new provision recommending the presence on board ships of the "International Medical Guide" for Seafarers and Fishermen" of the ICS, in addition to the existing obligation for all ships to have a medical guide at edge. The guide was developed with the support of the ITF and of the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA).

Meanwhile, the ITF also welcomed the agreement on the decarbonisation of shipping achieved last week by the MEPC of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ( of the 11th April 2025): "the ITF - commented Lydia Ferrad, trade union representative at the IMO - worked hard during last week's negotiations to ensure that the voice seafarers were formally represented and that their needs were taken into account during this crucial transition. We are therefore pleased that the IMO Member States have ensured that that funds be set aside for seafarers. The transition of the maritime sector towards a zero-emission future will not be Fueled only by policies, but also by people. For ensure success, our rules must be based on practical reality of life and work at sea, and our seafarers will have to be trained, supported and kept at the centre of the process. The creation of the IMO Net-Zero Fund - specified Ferrad - will not only incentivize low-level technologies emissions, but will also channel resources towards training, technology transfer and capacity building, ensuring that seafarers are equipped for the future complex and rapidly evolving maritime work".