A total of 173 complaints of violations against the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) were received in 2024 — a decrease of 19.16% compared to 2023, the Australia Maritime Safety Authrority (AMSA) reports.
The AMSA MLC Annual report 2024 aims to present findings on key MLC data in Australian waters. It presents an analysis of MLC complaints, compliance and follow-up actions undertaken by AMSA in Australia for 2024. Additionally, the information of the report will be used to inform the 2025-2026 National Compliance Plan.
Key findings from 2024
- 62.4% of MLC complaints came from bulk carriers
- 28.3% of complaints related to wages
- 934 MLC-related deficiencies were identified during Port State Control inspections
- 9 vessels were detained because of deficiencies.
MLC complaints received
In 2024, AMSA received 173 complaints representing a 19.16 per cent decrease on the number received in 2023 (214). The number of complaints has continued to decline from the peak of 320 in 2020, likely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the rolling 5-year average remains consistent. Most of the complaints originated directly from seafarers, consistent with previous years.
AMSA has received and processed a total of 2102 MLC complaints since the implementation of the MLC in August 2013.
This is likely an indication of the increased awareness of seafarers’ rights under the MLC and the reputation Australia has on MLC matters. Seafarers are therefore more confident that their concerns are taken seriously and treated confidentially when in Australia.
Follow up to complaints received
Since 2018, a total of 29 vessels have been issued with a direction notice refusing them access to Australian ports. Of these vessels, 14 were bannedfor serious breaches of the MLC primarily relating to underpayment of wages, decent working and living conditions and inadequate provisions. Approximately $30,392 USD was recovered in 2024.
In 2024, follow up investigations of MLC complaints resulted in 29 vessels being issued with MLC-related deficiencies, three of which were detained.
Breakdown of complaints by vessel type
In 2024, 62.4 per cent of complaints received were from seafarers engaged on bulk carriers. This is a 3.5 per cent increase from the 2023 complaints. Bulk carriers accounted for 49.7 per cent of all arrivals and 54.1 per cent of initial port State control (PSC) inspections.
The graph below shows the breakdown of complaints by vessel type when unique arrivals for each vessel type is taken into consideration, which provides a better reflection of the complaint rate of vessel types. Livestock, container and general cargo/muti-purpose make up the top 3 complaints by vessel type.
Complaints received by MLC titles
In 2024, MLC-related deficiencies were reported across all five Titles of the Maritime Labour Convention.
- Under Title 1 – Minimum requirements, there were 2 deficiencies, showing a slight increase from 0 in 2023.
- Title 2 – Conditions of employment continued to account for the majority of deficiencies, with 167 reported in 2024, a slight decrease from 169 in 2023, continuing a downward trend from 480 in 2020.
- For Title 3 – Accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering, there were 58 deficiencies, similar to the 60 recorded in 2023.
- Title 4 – Health protection, medical care, welfare, and social security protection saw 84 deficiencies in 2024, a small rise from 81 the previous year.
- Finally, under Title 5 – Compliance and enforcement, 5 deficiencies were recorded in 2024, up from 4 in 2023 but lower than the peak of 7 in 2022.
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