Assessment Brief 2025–2026

Module Information

Module Code: MAR5

Module Title: Maritime Law, Labour, and Governance

Academic Level: Masters (Level 7)

Credit Value: 20 Credits

Academic Year: 2025–2026

Assessment Title

Assessment Task 1 – Individual Research Essay

Assessment Topic

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 and Its Operational Impact on the Global Shipping Industry

Submission Details

Submission Deadline: As published on the module timetable

Submission Method: University VLE (Turnitin), PDF format

Word Count: 2,500–3,000 words (±10%, excluding references)

Assessment Context

The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 represents the most significant international legal instrument governing seafarers’ working and living conditions. Since its entry into force, the Convention has reshaped shipboard operations, flag State obligations, port State control practices, and shipping company compliance strategies. This assessment reflects common postgraduate essay formats used in UK, Australian, Canadian, US, UAE, and Chinese maritime law and policy modules between 2020 and 2026. Students are expected to demonstrate legal literacy, operational awareness, and critical evaluation of regulatory effectiveness.

Assessment Task

Write a critical research essay analysing the impact of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 on shipping industry operations. The essay must examine the Convention’s objectives, enforcement mechanisms, and practical implications for shipowners, seafarers, and maritime administrations. Attention should be given to both compliance benefits and implementation challenges across different flag and port State contexts.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• Critically evaluate international maritime labour regulation within commercial shipping.
• Analyse the operational and economic implications of MLC 2006 compliance.
• Assess enforcement practices through flag State and port State control mechanisms.
• Develop structured legal and policy arguments supported by authoritative sources.

Task Requirements

The essay must be structured using appropriate academic headings and should address the following areas:

1. Introduction and Scope of Analysis
2. Background and Objectives of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006
3. Key Regulatory Provisions Affecting Ship Operations and Management
4. Flag State Responsibilities and Certification Requirements
5. Port State Control and Enforcement Practice
6. Operational, Financial, and Human Resource Implications for Shipping Companies
7. Implementation Challenges and Criticisms of the Convention
8. Conclusion and Implications for Future Maritime Labour Governance

Formatting and Academic Standards

• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point
• Line spacing: 1.5
• Harvard referencing style
• Minimum of 15 academic and legal sources, primarily post-2018

Assessment Marking Criteria

Criterion	Weighting	Descriptor
Knowledge of Maritime Labour Law	30%	Accurate and relevant use of MLC provisions, legal instruments, and scholarly sources.
Critical Analysis	40%	Evaluation of effectiveness, enforcement challenges, and operational consequences.
Structure and Academic Writing	15%	Logical organisation, clarity of argument, and academic tone.
Use of Evidence and Referencing	15%	Integration of authoritative legal, policy, and industry sources.

The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 has redefined minimum labour standards within international shipping by consolidating previously fragmented instruments into a single, enforceable framework. Shipowners are now required to demonstrate compliance through certification, onboard documentation, and continuous monitoring of living and working conditions. Operationally, this has increased administrative oversight and compliance costs, particularly for vessels operating under flags with limited inspection capacity. Port State control inspections have strengthened enforcement by enabling detention of non-compliant ships, which has shifted compliance risk from flag administrations to commercial operators. Evidence from inspection data indicates that vessels trading internationally face heightened scrutiny in major port regions, reinforcing the commercial importance of labour standards compliance (International Labour Organization, 2023, https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/maritime-labour-convention/lang–en/index.htm). While the Convention has improved seafarer welfare and legal clarity, uneven enforcement and documentation-focused inspections continue to challenge its effectiveness in practice.

 References

• International Labour Organization, 2023. Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Available at: https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/maritime-labour-convention/lang–en/index.htm
• Doumbia-Henry, C., 2020. Shipping and seafarers’ welfare: The impact of the Maritime Labour Convention. International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, 35(1), pp. 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-12341420
• Berg, N. and Storgård, J., 2021. Port State control and maritime labour compliance under the MLC. Marine Policy, 132, 104687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104687
• Bhattacharya, S., 2019. Human element considerations in shipping regulation. WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, 18(2), pp. 157–175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13437-019-00169-2