Introduction
The Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS) has informed owners, operators and managers of Cyprus ships of the adoption, under the tacit acceptance procedure, of the 2014 amendments to the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, which were approved by the 103rd Session of the International Labour Conference.
The amendments, which enter into force on January 18 2017, relate to:
- Standard A2.5 regarding the repatriation of seafarers; and
- Standard A4.2 regarding the shipowner's liability in respect of compensation in the case of a seafarer's death or
- long-term disability due to occupational injury or illness.
Certification
Maritime labour certificates and declarations of maritime labour compliance that were issued before January 18 2017 will remain valid until the first renewal or intermediate inspection.
Declarations of maritime labour compliance
For vessels registered under the Cyprus flag on or after January 18 2017, an amended form of Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance Part I will be issued.
Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance Part I documents that were issued before January 18 2017 will remain valid until the vessel's next maritime labour certificate renewal or intermediate inspection, whichever occurs first.
Although Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance Part I documents remain valid, shipowners must comply with the new requirements from January 18 2017 and are expected to update their Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance Part II – initially by way of an addendum – to reflect the new requirements.
Shipowners should submit an application for the issuance of an amended Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance Part I to the DMS approximately 45 days before the vessel's next maritime labour certificate renewal or intermediate inspection. The application form is available on the DMS website.
Port State Control
The Cyprus Port State Control authorities will apply the new standards to foreign vessels calling at ports in Cyprus from January 18 2017.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.