Group Proposes Amendment Of MLC 2006 To Promote Shore Leave For Seafarers’

By Roland Ekama 

The International Association of Seafarer Welfare Charities (ICMA) has proposed amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) to protect shore leave for seafarers’.

Shore leave is defined as the period during which a sailor is allowed to take a leave from the ship while the vessel he is working on is docked in the port. The period of the leave can vary from a couple of hours to a few days depending on the time the ship is scheduled to be on the port.

The International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) has published proposed amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 for consideration at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Special Tripartite Committee (STC) meeting 5 in April 2025.

ICMA’s text aims to enhance language around shore leave to counter current threats to shore leave provision in many ports. The association has invited feedback on its proposal.

ICMA stated that “In recent years, the opportunities for shore leave have faced significant threats. The COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, conflicts, and other challenges have severely curtailed shore leave for many seafarers.;”

The proposed changes to MLC address its lack of detail on shore leave promotion and protection, with the ultimate aim of protecting the mental and physical wellbeing of seafarers, and improving recruitment and retention within the maritime industry, the charity group said.

The proposed text adds new language on shore leave that would require member states to ensure owners of ships operating under their flags provide shore leave to benefit the health and wellbeing of seafarers. Another section adds a requirement to facilitate seafarers’ access to member states’ ports in order to exercise their right to shore leave.

Further additions require: transit through port facilities for seafarers on shore leave be timely and at no cost to the seafarer; shore leave and access to welfare facilities be considered in port facility security plans; and training be provided for port and terminal personnel on protecting seafarers’ rights, including those around shore leave.

ICMA said it welcomed modifications to its proposal. The text can be read on the ICMA website, where a feedback survey is available along with contact details for the association.

The Seafarers Happiness Index ranks shore leave as one of its top 10 aspects of life at sea that can make a difference, “The happiest seafarers hammer home the message of the
importance of shore leave. This is seen as a vital ingredient for stress relief, relaxation, and social interaction with people outside the ship’s crew,” its latest report stated.

The report listed limited shore leave in its top ten negative impacts on seafarer wellbeing, stating: “Restrictions, time constraints, costs, and safety concerns limit opportunities for
seafarers to go ashore, impacting their mental health and overall wellbeing.”