Back UN initiative with enforcement says SRI
(Posted on 17/05/21)
Amid growing fears of an impending escalation of the humanitarian crisis facing seafarers, SRI, the international pan-industry body researching maritime and seafarers’ law, applauds the recent initiative from United Nations Agencies to protect seafarers’ rights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Urging all cargo owners and charterers to support the new wide-ranging human rights toolkit, SRI does, however, warn that rogue operators may benefit without proper enforcement of the standards.
“It is very welcome to see this response to the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis from the UN Global Compact, the UN Human Rights Office, the International Labour Organization and the International Maritime Organization,” says Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of SRI. “Such initiatives can be very effective in creating awareness and raising the standards of acceptable behaviour in the global supply chains”.
“The COVID-19 crisis has brought out the very best and the worst of the maritime industry,” she explains. “We have seen many shipping companies go well beyond the mark to support their seafarers. But as we know, there is always a minority who seek to exploit any situation and who compete unfairly with the rest of the industry. It is these rogue operators who will not have the new toolkit top of their reading list and who must not be allowed to escape the standards.”
The new guidance was issued following the latest resolution of the Special Tripartite Committee of the ILO, calling again on ‘… Members and shipowners’ and seafarers’ organizations to work jointly to ensure the promotion and respect for seafarers’ rights under the MLC, 2006’.
“Enforcement is essential to the success of this initiative,” adds Deirdre Fitzpatrick. “Whilst we can always hope that voluntary standards are followed, there needs also to be a commitment to address how these standards can be enforced. Here there is a critical role to be played by the industry, by workers and their organisations, and by the States themselves.”
Latest News
LR and Marshall Islands certify Helm CONNECT electronic record books
(Posted on 14/11/25)Helm Operations has announced that nine electronic record books within Helm CONNECT Logbook have been... Read more
Sailors’ Society launches increased support for Chinese seafarers
(Posted on 13/11/25)International maritime welfare charity Sailors’ Society has announced a significant expansion... Read more
NORDEN signs two-year contract with US wood pellet producer
(Posted on 10/11/25)NORDEN has signed a two-year Contract of Affreightment (COA) with Enviva to transport a significant... Read more
Algoma reports strong core results and continued fleet growth
(Posted on 10/11/25)Algoma Central Corporation has reported its results for the three and nine months ended 30 September... Read more
Damen unveils Combi Freighter 5000 ICE
(Posted on 10/11/25)Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled the latest platform in its successful cargo vessels portfolio. The... Read more
Wallem Group reaches a century in Hong Kong
(Posted on 04/11/25)Wallem Group, a leading global maritime partner, is celebrating the centenary of moving its headquarters... Read more
INTERCARGO celebrates record membership ahead of 45th Anniversary
(Posted on 04/11/25)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) is marking its 45th anniversary in... Read more
NORDEN reports net profit of US$26m in Q3 2025
(Posted on 04/11/25)Net profit for the Group amounted to USD 26 million (DKK 166 million) in the third quarter of 2025,... Read more
ClassNK releases 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)'
(Posted on 04/11/25)ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)' first in... Read more
InterManager urges Seafarer participation in Enclosed-Space Safety Survey
(Posted on 27/10/25)Following the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) newly tightened rules on enclosed... Read more
