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The role of the MLC in ensuring dignity, fair treatment, and wellbeing for seafarers across different regions and political contextsEnsuring dignity, fair treatment, and wellbeing for seafarers across all regions of the world and in all political contexts remains the ultimate challenge we are facing. While 97% coverage across 112 countries sounds fantastic, I personally won%u2019t be satisfied until that figure reaches 100%. Realistically, achieving that within a reasonable timeframe is, of course, a significant undertaking, as some countries may never ratify the Convention.The fact that the United States has not ratified the MLC, especially in the current context of tensions in the Middle East, remains a significant concern. Many of the Gulf states have not ratified the Convention either, thus creating geographical gaps in its global coverage.To address this gap, when it comes to Port State Control, the MLC includes a critical provision known as the %u201cno less favourable treatment%u201d clause. This ensures that even if a ship's flag State has not ratified the Convention, the vessel will still be inspected in accordance with ILO/MLC standards when calling at the port of a signatory country, thereby eliminating any competitive advantage some states might seek to gain through non-ratification.But how can it be ensured that all flag States that have ratified the MLC actually implement and enforce the rights it provides? The ILO has a unique oversight structure to hold Member States accountable. Their national legislation is reviewed by the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) to confirm it complies with MLC standards, and a platform is available for organisations like the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) to lodge formal complaints to the Committee if these provisions are not being upheld. This provides a level of oversight, transparency, and accountability that can be and is used to make sure that those countries are fulfilling their obligations.Overall, the %u201cno less favourable treatment%u201d principle, higher oversight, and the combined roles of flag State and port state control are all important mechanisms in upholding standards and ensuring that seafarers are treated with dignity and fairness, regardless of where they are from in the world.Of course, there is still more to be done, as several countries have not yet ratified the Convention. Nevertheless, the ILO is actively working to educate governments, politicians, and regulators, helping them understand the necessity of protecting seafarers as key workers, as they are now being rightly recognised by governments.Moreover, the recently agreed amendment of the MLC, set to come into force in December 2027, incorporates two sets of joint IMO-ILO guidelines (the first developed in 2006, and the latter in 2025), which address the fair treatment of seafarers following maritime incidents, accidents, or pollution events, as well as cases involving alleged crimes. Too often, seafarers are treated as though they have no rights, detained without evidence or due process, and denied the fundamental rights that any citizen would expect when involved in such circumstances.Since these guidelines have now been incorporated into the mandatory provisions of the MLC, standards in this area will soon be significantly raised, and consequently, the obligations placed on states will increase accordingly.Moving forward, criminalisation remains a significant challenge within the maritime industry. In my capacity in my day job at Nautilus International, the criminalisation of our members is among my primary concerns. This issue directly impacts the recruitment and retention of young talent, and it is therefore both necessary and appropriate that it be addressed.Another major issue currently affecting our industry is the abandonment of vessels and the seafarers who work and live on board. Under the ILO MLC provisions on financial security, various stakeholders %u2014 including flag States, port states, and labour-supply states %u2014 have the obligation to ensure that seafarers are paid their wages and are repatriated, preventing situations where ships are abandoned and crews are left to fend for themselves. In practice, however, such cases often create complex, multi-jurisdictional challenges involving port and coastal states, seafarers%u2019 home countries and the flag State, while the shipowners who abandon their crews usually escape liability. The MLC's provisions on financial security, strengthened over the past 20 years, are fundamental to ensuring dignity, fair Seafarers under the spotlightCredit: EPA/MIKKEL BERG PEDERSEN240 NX