The Department of Merchant Shipping has announced that the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 will enter into force in Cyprus on August 20 2013, the date of its international entry into force.
Article VIII of the convention provides that it will enter into force 12 months after at least 30 members accounting for at least 33% of the world gross tonnage of ships have registered ratifications. It will then be binding on those members that have ratified it.
Cyprus ratified the convention through the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (Ratification) and for Matters Connected Therewith Law (6(III)/2012), published in the Official Gazette on May 11 2012.
The convention applies to all ships, irrespective of tonnage and whether publicly or privately owned, that are ordinarily engaged in commercial activities. It does not apply to ships engaged in fishing or in similar pursuits, traditionally constructed ships, warships or naval auxiliaries, or ships that navigate exclusively in inland waters.
Originally published in International Law Office.
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