Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# MLC Certification (Maritime Labour Certificate and DMLC)

Two distinct documents meant to be read together: the certificate declares compliance, the Declaration explains how the Company intends to maintain it day to day.

MLC 2006 DMLC Maritime Labour Certificate certification

## Operational Explanation

Compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) is attested by two complementary documents: the Maritime Labour Certificate, which certifies the ship's compliance with the working and living conditions required by the Convention, and the Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC), structured in two parts — Part I, drawn up by the Flag Administration, listing the applicable national requirements, and Part II, drawn up and maintained by the shipowner, describing the measures adopted to ensure ongoing compliance between one inspection and the next.

The certificate has a maximum validity of 5 years, subject to an intermediate inspection to be conducted between the second and third anniversary of issue, and a renewal inspection before expiry. The Code of the Convention was most recently amended in 2025, strengthening protections against harassment and introducing new financial security requirements.

## Regulatory Reference

MLC 2006 (Maritime Labour Convention), Regulation 5.1.3: requires a Maritime Labour Certificate and DMLC (Parts I and II) for ships of 500 GT and upwards engaged on international voyages; intermediate inspection between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary; maximum validity 5 years.

## Scope of Application

Every ship of 500 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages, subject to MLC 2006.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Verify that the Maritime Labour Certificate is valid and consistent with the DMLC Part I issued by the Flag Administration.
2. Keep the DMLC Part II up to date, reflecting the measures actually adopted on board to ensure ongoing compliance (hours of work/rest, accommodation, food, medical care, complaint procedure).
3. Schedule the intermediate inspection within the window between the second and third anniversary of the certificate's issue.
4. Start the renewal inspection process in good time before the certificate's five-year expiry.
5. Verify alignment of onboard procedures with the most recent amendments to the Code of the Convention (2025), including strengthened protections against harassment.

## Practical Example

Management example: ahead of the MLC intermediate inspection, the Company verifies that the DMLC Part II accurately reflects the onboard procedures actually in use for managing rest hours, updating it where necessary before the inspector arrives.

## Real Cases

Discrepancies between what is declared in the DMLC Part II and the procedures actually observed on board are a frequent cause of non-conformities found during MLC inspections, since Part II is not a static document but must faithfully reflect current operational practice.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
DMLC Part II not updated following changes to onboard procedures | Discrepancy found at inspection between the declared document and actual practice | Update the DMLC Part II whenever onboard procedures change significantly
Intermediate inspection scheduled outside the window between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary | Procedural non-conformity with MLC requirements | Always schedule the intermediate inspection with margin within the expected window
Onboard procedures not aligned with the most recent amendments to the Code of the Convention | Non-conformity against updated requirements not yet operationally implemented | Periodically check MLC Code amendments and update procedures accordingly

## PSC Observations

PSCOs verify the validity of the Maritime Labour Certificate and the consistency between the DMLC Part II and the working and living conditions actually observed on board during the inspection.

## Operational Tips

- Always update the DMLC Part II when onboard procedures change; do not leave it as a static document.
- Schedule the intermediate inspection with margin within the window between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary.
- Periodically check the most recent MLC Code amendments and align onboard procedures accordingly.

## Checklist

- Maritime Labour Certificate valid and consistent with the DMLC Part I
- DMLC Part II updated to reflect actual onboard procedures
- Intermediate inspection scheduled within the window between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary
- Renewal process started in good time before the five-year expiry
- Onboard procedures aligned with the most recent amendments to the MLC Code

## FAQ

What is the difference between DMLC Part I and Part II?
Part I is drawn up by the Flag Administration and lists the applicable national requirements under MLC 2006; Part II is drawn up and maintained by the shipowner and describes the specific measures adopted on board to ensure ongoing compliance.
When must the Maritime Labour Certificate's intermediate inspection be conducted?
Between the second and third anniversary of the certificate's issue, whose overall maximum validity is 5 years.
What changed with the 2025 amendments to the MLC Code?
Strengthened protections against harassment and new financial security requirements, continuing the periodic update path of the Convention's Code.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Handling Seafarer Complaints (MLC 2006)HSSC

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