The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) from the International Labour Organization (ILO) comes into force today (August 20th).

Originally created in 2006, the convention looks to offer an international standard of fair competition for the shipping industry, as well as offering "decent work" to seafarers.

The convention required ratification from 30 member states of the organisation and currently has over 45 backers, representing more than 70 per cent of the world's shipping tonnage.

Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, director of the ILO standards department, said: "The ILO will continue to work with governments and with seafarers' and shipowners' organisations and other key actors in the maritime industry to help ensure that the goals of the MLC are achieved".

She also stated the ILO will collaborate with governments and other industry members to help meet the convention's goals and objectives. Both the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the Tokyo MOU have adopted it, whilst the EU has similarly accommodated the convention.

Support is also being offered by the International Transport Worker's Federation and International Shipowners Federation. Both also contributed throughout the five-year development.

The law is now binding for the first 30 countries to register ratification; others will adopt 12 months after their ratifications are registered.