Under the aegis of the UN International Labour Organization (ILO), shipowners and seafarers’ unions from around the world came together to negotiate on the minimum wages payable to seafarers. The negotiations were coordinated by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), respectively.
The agreement applies universally to the rating grade of Able Seafarer and is widely recognised by the global shipping community as contributing to decent work and employment for seafarers, to support themselves and their families.
During the previous round of talks, which ended in September 2021, shipowners and seafarers set the minimum wage to US$648 as of July 1, 2022.
At the last round of negotiations, the social partners agreed to structure the new three-year agreement through annual increases, as follows:
US$658 as of January 1, 2023
US$666 as of January 1, 2024
US$673 as of January 1, 2025
Commenting on the outcome of the negotiations, Charles Darr (Swiss Shipowners’ Association), spokesperson for the shipowners group, said that “this new deal is a win-win for both shipowners and seafarers”. Mark Dickinson (Nautilus International), spokesperson for the seafarers group stated that, “today’s agreement recognises the huge sacrifices and professionalism of the men and women working at sea and is a testament to the collective milestones the social partnership between seafarers and shipowners have historically achieved. Especially over the past few years”.
