U.S. Implementation Of The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

Maritime

New Development

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 ("MLC 2006") was adopted by the International Labor Organization ("ILO") at the 94th Maritime Session of the International Labour Convention ("ILC") on February 7, 2006, and will enter into force on August 20, 2013. The United States has not ratified MLC 2006; however, on February 11, 2013, the Coast Guard published a notice ("MLC Notice") in the Federal Register announcing the availability of a draft Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular ("NVIC") setting forth proposed Coast Guard policies and procedures regarding the inspection of U.S. vessels for voluntary compliance with MLC 2006. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-11/pdf/2013-02956.pdf. The primary purpose of the NVIC is to assist U.S. vessels in avoiding port State control actions in foreign ports of countries that have become party to MLC 2006 by providing for a voluntary inspection program mechanism for U.S.-flag vessels resulting in