Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Participate in Intensive Inspections of Port State Control on the Treatment of Seamen in Asia and Europe

- Plan to closely examine the wages and labor contracts of seamen in major maritime countries worldwide

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) announced that governments worldwide, including that of Korea, will conduct intensive port state control of ships entering its ports, including controls of the wages and labor contracts of their crews, for three months starting in September, and that ships that treat their crews poorly may be subject to sanctions up to and including the denial of departure.

 As the Asia-Pacific and Europe Port State Control Regional Council* recommends sanctions up to a denial of departure until the issues are resolved when a member country identifies serious deficiencies, such as non-payment of wages, during the inspection, ships operated by domestic shipping companies also need to prepare thoroughly for inspections at foreign ports.

 Ship inspectors from eleven regional Oceans and Fisheries Offices in Korea will board ships and inspect them, based on the Council's common checklist of whether ships’ crews’ wages are paid appropriately and whether their employment contracts are prepared and kept according to the prevailing standards.

 Meanwhile, the MOF has produced and distributed in advance a manual containing the inspection items in a bid to prevent Korean ships from being detained at foreign ports, and held a briefing session* in Busan for domestic shipping companies.