DNV has awarded the world’s first Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) certificate, consistent with a voluntary Declaration of Compliance (Part II) with the MLC, to Thenamaris Ships Management Inc.’s vessel, the M/T Seacrown.
Established in 2006, the primary goal of the MLC is to be a pillar in the international maritime regulatory framework, establishing a level playing field for seafarers’ working and living conditions. While MLC 2006 is not expected to come into force before December 2011 (based upon the EU’s scheduled ratification of the conventions by the end of 2010), DNV has already worked with some shipowners, including Thenamaris, to develop services for handling the convention, including the development of effective procedures and certification ahead of compliance deadlines.
Late last autumn, DNV’s MLC inspectors, headed by Frantziskos Kamizoulis, joined Thenamaris Ships Management aboard the M/T Seacrown to verify that the product carrier was in compliance in all fourteen areas which the Maritime Labour Convention specifies must be inspected before certificates can be issued.
