New working hours changes to international maritime law which comes into effect in August could have a significant impact on UK ship owners, an Aberdeen-based maritime consulting company has warned.
The Seafarers’ Employment Agreement (SEA), which will see minimum working and resting hours, a minimum working age and the limit on working hours for under-18s being introduced, has been ratified by 39 countries so far.
Accommodation and living conditions are also a major point of the SEA, specifying the required cabin size and provision of light in the cabins.
The law could require ship owners to employ more crew as well as to modify their vessels to meet the required standards, which could be particularly problematic for older ships.
“There is a lot of uncertainty and apprehension surrounding this forthcoming legislative change, with no one-size fits all solution,” said Graeme Reid, managing director and founder of Maritime Assurance and Consulting.
“We do recommend that all ship owners/operators review compliance with the Convention; and should this not already be underway, it will need to be progressed as soon as possible, otherwise boats could be put at risk of arrest within certain states.”
The Convention applies to ships of 500 gross tonnage, or over, engaged in international voyages and 500 gross tonnage or over, flying the flag of an International Labour Organisation Member State and operating from a port; or to those operating between ports in another country.
Although the UK has not sanctioned the Convention – together with such flag states as the US and Barbados – it will still come into force as it was ratified by the required 30 countries representing over 33% of the world gross tonnage of ships.