Maritime Employment

Working at sea is special in many ways. In legal terms, there are many specific rules. These rules are often agreed upon at European or international level, and there are numerous exceptions to the rules of regular labour law. Compliance with the rules is monitored, and the consequences of violating them can be severe. Whether you are a shipowner, shipyard, agent, pension fund, works council, interest group or seafarer, you want to be sure that you know which rules apply. Given the sheer number and complexity of these rules, this is no easy task.

We have a large maritime practice. We know the maritime world and the special rules that apply to it, so you have come to the right place for advice on working at sea. You can come to us for, among other things:

• advice on compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), health and safety regulations, working and rest times and the minimum wage;
• drafting or reviewing (maritime) employment contracts;
• a wide range of compliance issues, such as questions about the rules that apply in maritime transport or specific offshore projects, such as the construction of a wind farm;
• assistance with audits in the field of MLC certification (for shipowners and crew agencies);
• advice on reflagging to the Dutch flag;
• advice on inspection visits, such as those by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT), Port State Control (PSC) or the Dutch Labour Inspectorate. We can also advise you on how to proceed if irregularities come to light and we regularly litigate on imposed sanctions.

Our personal injury lawyers handle maritime accidents at work. We also assist seafarers in cases before the Maritime Disciplinary Tribunal.