See Full Document Text
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2026 No. 260
RETAINED EU LAW REFORM
MERCHANT SHIPPING
The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention
and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026
Sift requirements satisfied 10th February 2026
Made - - - - 16th March 2026
Laid before Parliament 19th March 2026
Coming into force - - 10th April 2026
The Secretary of State, with the consent of the Treasury, makes these Regulations in exercise of
the powers conferred by sections 85(1), (3)(a) and (f), and (5) and (7), 86(1)(a) to (d) and 302(1)
of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995(1) and sections 14(1) and 20(1)(b) of the Retained EU Law
(Revocation and Reform) Act 2023(2)(“the 2023 Act”).
The Secretary of State has consulted such persons in the United Kingdom as the Secretary of
State considers will be affected by the exercise of powers in this instrument in accordance with
section 86(4) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
The Secretary of State is a relevant national authority for the purposes of section 14(1) of the
2023 Act(3).
The requirements of paragraph 6(2) of Schedule 5 to the 2023 Act (relating to the appropriate
Parliamentary procedure for these Regulations) have been satisfied.
Citation, commencement and extent
1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention
and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 and come into force on the 22nd day after the
day on which they are laid.
(2) These Regulations extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
(1) 1995 c. 21. Sections 85 and 86 were amended by the Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Act 1997 (c. 28), section 8.
There are other amendments to section 85 not relevant to these Regulations.
(2) 2023 c. 28.
(3) The term “relevant national authority” is defined in section 21(1) of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.Document Generated: 2026-04-10
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
Amendment of the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Minimum
Requirements for Seafarers etc.) Regulations 2014
2.—(1) The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Minimum Requirements for
Seafarers etc.) Regulations 2014(4) are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “United Kingdom ship”—
(a) insert “or” at the end of sub-paragraph (a);
(b) omit sub-paragraph (b).
(3) In regulation 29 (crew accommodation requirements)—
(a) after paragraph (1) insert—
“(1A) In this regulation, “social connectivity” means connectivity to internet services
for social communication and social engagement purposes.”;
(b) after paragraph (2) insert—
“(2A) Subject to paragraph (2B) and regulation 32 (approvals to allow substantial
equivalences), social connectivity facilities must be provided in all areas of the crew
accommodation of a ship except storerooms.
(2B) The requirement in paragraph (2A) does not apply—
(a) in relation to a seafarer—
(i)who does not live and work on board the ship, or
(ii)who is not on board the ship;
(b) in relation to a ship—
(i)which starts and finishes a voyage on the same day, or
(ii)while it is operating within an area, or is transiting waters in an area, where
availability of social connectivity services is absent, or ineffective, due to
reasons beyond the control of the ship owner.”;
(c) in paragraph (3), after “(2)” insert “or (2A)”.
(4) In regulation 32(1) (approvals to allow substantial equivalences), after “set out in” insert
“regulation 29(2A) and”.
(5) In regulation 34 (provision of food and drinking water)—
(a) in paragraph (1)(a), for “value and variety” substitute “value, variety and balance,”;
(b) in paragraph (2), for “all seafarers while they are on board” substitute “seafarers during
the period of their engagement”.
Amendments and revocations in relation to government ships
3. The statutory instruments set out under column 1 of the table in Schedule 1 are amended or
revoked to the extent specified under column 2 of that table.
Amendment of the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018
4. The Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018(5) are amended to the extent specified in
Schedule 2.
(4) S.I. 2014/1613, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(5) S.I. 2018/1104; relevant amending instruments are S.I. 1996/2821, 1998/2411, 1999/1704, 2205, 2001/54, 2002/2125, 2135,
2004/1266, 2006/89, 2014/1614, 1616, 2015/21, 1692, 2016/1026, 2018/242, 667, 2025/1103.
2Document Generated: 2026-04-10
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
We consent to the making of these Regulations
Stephen Morgan
Gen Kitchen
Two of the Lords Commissioners of His
12th March 2026 Majesty’s Treasury
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
16th March 2026 Department for Transport
3Document Generated: 2026-04-10
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
Schedules
Schedule 1 Regulation 3
Amendments or revocations
The statutory instruments set out under column 1 of the table below are amended or revoked to the
extent specified under column 2 of that table.
Column 1 Column 2
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 1(3) (citation,
(Medical Stores) Regulations 1995(6) commencement, revocation and
interpretation), omit the definition of
“Government ships”.
(2) In regulation 3 (application), omit “and
Government ships,”.
The Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards of (1) In regulation 3(1) (application), omit sub-
Safety Communications) Regulations 1997(7) paragraph (ii).
(2) In regulation 5(3) (duty to ensure safe
communication), omit the words “or a
Government ship,”.
The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and The whole Regulations.
Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997(8)
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels In regulation 2(2) (interpretation), in the
(Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997(9) definition of “United Kingdom ship”, omit sub-
paragraph (b).
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels In regulation 2(2) (interpretation), in the
(Health and Safety at Work) (Employment of definition of “United Kingdom ship”, omit sub-
Young Persons) Regulations 1998(10) paragraph (b).
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels In regulation 2(2) (interpretation), in the
(Manual Handling Operations) Regulations definition of “United Kingdom ship”, omit sub-
1998(11) paragraph (b).
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels In regulation 2(2) (interpretation), in the
(Personal Protective Equipment) Regulations definition of “United Kingdom ship”—
1999(12) (a) insert “or” after sub-paragraph (a);
(b) omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “or” after
it.
(6) S.I. 1995/1802, amended by S.I. 2018/1202; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
(7) S.I. 1997/529, amended by S.I. 1999/1704; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
(8) S.I. 1997/2367, amended by S.I. 2004/2110, 2011/2616, 2024/636.
(9) S.I. 1997/2962, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(10) S.I. 1998/2411, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(11) S.I. 1998/2857, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(12) S.I. 1999/2205.
4Document Generated: 2026-04-10
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
Column 1 Column 2
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels In regulation 2(1) (interpretation), in the
(Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 2001(13) definition of “United Kingdom ship”—
(a) insert “or” after sub-paragraph (a);
(b) omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “or” after
it.
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—
(Provision and Use of Work Equipment) (a) omit the definition of “Government
Regulations 2006(14) ship”;
(b) in the definition of “United
Kingdom ship”, omit sub-
paragraph (b).
(2) In regulation 4 (application), omit
paragraph (3).
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—
(Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment) (a) omit the definition of “Government
Regulations 2006(15) ship”;
(b) in the definition of “United
Kingdom ship”, omit sub-
paragraph (b).
(2) In regulation 4 (application)—
(a) in paragraph (6), omit the words
after “fishing vessel” to the end;
(b) omit paragraph (7).
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—
(Control of Noise at Work) Regulations (a) omit the definition of “Government
2007(16) ship”;
(b) in the definition of “United
Kingdom ship”, omit sub-
paragraph (b).
(2) Regulations 19 (application of powers
of inspectors in relation to Government
ships) and regulation 21 (right of appeal
and compensation) are omitted.
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—
(Control of Vibration at Work) Regulations (a) omit the definition of “Government
2007(17) ship”;
(b) in the definition of “United
Kingdom ship”, omit sub-
paragraph (b).
(2) Regulations 18 (application of powers
of inspectors in relation to Government
ships) and regulation 20 (right of appeal
and compensation) are omitted.
(13) S.I. 2001/3444, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(14) S.I. 2006/2183, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(15) S.I. 2006/2184, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(16) S.I. 2007/3075, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(17) S.I. 2007/3077, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
5Document Generated: 2026-04-10
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
Column 1 Column 2
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation), in the
(Health and Safety at Work) (Carcinogens and definition of “United Kingdom ship”—
Mutagens) Regulations 2007(18) (a) insert “or” after sub-paragraph (a);
(b) omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “or”
after it.
(2) Regulations 22 (application of powers
of inspectors in relation to Government
ships) and regulation 24 (right of appeal
and compensation) are omitted.
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—
(Health and Safety at Work) (Biological Agents) (a) omit the definition of “Government
Regulations 2010(19) ship”;
(b) in the definition of “United
Kingdom ship”—
(i) insert “or” after sub-
paragraph (a);
(ii) omit sub-paragraph (b) and
the “or” after it.
(2) Regulations 27 (application of powers
of inspectors in relation to Government
ships) and regulation 29 (right of appeal
and compensation) are omitted.
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—
(Health and Safety at Work) (Chemical Agents) (a) omit the definition of “Government
Regulations 2010(20) ship”;
(b) in the definition of “United
Kingdom ship”—
(i) insert “or” after sub-
paragraph (a);
(ii) omit sub-paragraph (b) and
the “or” after it.
(2) Regulations 20 (application of powers
of inspectors in relation to Government
ships) and regulation 22 (right of appeal
and compensation) are omitted.
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—
(Health and Safety at Work) (Work at Height) (a) omit the definition of “Government
Regulations 2010(21) ship”;
(b) in the definition of “United
Kingdom ship”—
(i) insert “or” after sub-
paragraph (a);
(ii) omit sub-paragraph (b) and
the “or” after it.
(2) Regulations 22 (application of powers
of inspectors in relation to Government
(18) S.I. 2007/3100, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(19) S.I. 2010/323, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(20) S.I. 2010/330, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(21) S.I. 2010/332, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
6Document Generated: 2026-04-10
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
Column 1 Column 2
ships) and regulation 24 (right of appeal
and compensation) are omitted.
The Merchant Shipping (Maritime (1) In regulation 2 (interpretation), in the
Labour Convention) (Medical Certification) definition of “United Kingdom ship”—
Regulations 2010(22) (a) insert “or” after sub-paragraph (a);
(b) omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “or”
after it.
(2) Regulation 19 (inspection of Government
ships) is omitted.
The Merchant Shipping (Technical (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation), omit
Requirements for Inland Waterway Vessels) the definition of “Government ship”.
Regulations 2010(23) (2) In regulation 3(1) (application), omit the
words “, including Government ships,”.
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—
(Health and Safety at Work) (Asbestos) (a) omit the definition of “Government
Regulations 2010(24) ship”;
(b) in the definition of “United
Kingdom ship”, omit sub-
paragraph (b).
(2) Regulations 26 (application of powers
of inspectors in relation to Government
ships) and regulation 28 (right of appeal
and compensation) are omitted.
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—
(Health and Safety at Work) (Artificial Optical (a) omit the definition of “Government
Radiation) Regulations 2010(25) ship”;
(b) in the definition of “United
Kingdom ship”—
(i) insert “or” after sub-
paragraph (a);
(ii) omit sub-paragraph (b).
(2) Regulations 16 (application of powers
of inspectors in relation to Government
ships) and regulation 18 (right of appeal
and compensation) are omitted.
The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour In regulation 2(1) (interpretation), in the
Convention) (Survey and Certification) definition of “United Kingdom ship”—
Regulations 2013(26) (a) insert “or” after sub-paragraph (a);
(b) omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “or” after
it.
The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour In regulation 2(1) (interpretation and
Convention) (Recruitment and Placement) application), in the definition of “United
Regulations 2014(27) Kingdom ship”—
(22) S.I. 2010/737, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(23) S.I. 2010/1075, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(24) S.I. 2010/2984, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(25) S.I. 2010/2987, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(26) S.I. 2013/1785, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(27) S.I. 2014/1615, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
7Document Generated: 2026-04-10
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
Column 1 Column 2
(a) insert “or” after sub-paragraph (a);
(b) omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “or” after
it.
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—
(Health and Safety at Work) (Electromagnetic (a) omit the definition of “Government
Fields) Regulations 2016(28) ship”;
(b) in the definition of “United
Kingdom ship”—
(i) insert “or” after sub-
paragraph (a);
(ii) omit sub-paragraph (b) and
the “or” after it.
(2) Regulation 15 (application of powers
of inspectors in relation to Government
ships) is omitted.
The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour In regulation 2(1) (interpretation), in the
Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations definition of “United Kingdom ship”—
2018(29) (a) insert “or” after sub-paragraph (a);
(b) omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “or” after
it.
Schedule 2 Regulation 4
Amendments to the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018
In the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018, Schedule 1 (fees under the Merchant Shipping
Act 1995), Part 1 (surveys, inspections and applications for exemption), the table under paragraph 5
(fees for inspections, etc.) is amended in relation to the item referred to under column 1 of the table
below to the extent specified under the corresponding entry under column 2 of that table.
Column 1 Column 2
Section A (crew), the entry for the Merchant In the third column, after “1996/2821” insert
Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Medical Stores) “2026/260”.
Regulations 1995.
Section A (crew), the Merchant In the third column, after “2006/89” insert
Shipping (Minimum Standards of Safety “2026/260”.
Communications) Regulations 1997.
Section A (crew), the Merchant Shipping and In the third column, after “2025/1195” insert
Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) “2026/260”.
Regulations 1997.
Section A (crew), the Merchant Shipping and In the third column, after “2015/21” insert
Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) “2026/260”.
(Employment of Young Persons) Regulations
1998.
(28) S.I. 2016/1026.
(29) S.I. 2018/58, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
8Document Generated: 2026-04-10
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
Column 1 Column 2
Section A (crew), the Merchant Shipping and In the third column, for “None” substitute
Fishing Vessels (Personal Protective Equipment) “2026/260”.
Regulations 1999.
Section B (crew accommodation), the Merchant In the third column, after “2025/1195” insert
Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) “2026/260”.
(Minimum requirements for Seafarers etc.)
Regulations 2014.
Section F (fishing vessel safety) the Merchant In the third column, after “1999/2205” insert
Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Manual Handling “2026/260”.
Operations) Regulations 1998.
Section I (construction and equipment), the In the third column, after “2015/21” insert
Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Safety “2026/260”.
Signs and Signals) Regulations 2001.
Section L (survey and certification), In the third column, after “2025/1195” insert
the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour “2026/260”.
Convention) (Survey and Certification)
Regulations 2013.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations implement certain amendments of 6th June 2022 made to the Maritime
Labour Convention 2006 by making amendments to the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour
Convention) (Minimum Requirements for Seafarers etc.) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1613) (“the
2014 Regulations”).
Regulation 2 amends the 2014 Regulations to—
— disapply the application of those Regulations to government ships;
— require that, with certain exceptions, social connectivity (internet) facilities are provided in all
areas of crew accommodation except ship storerooms;
— introduce a requirement that food provided to seafarers is balanced and to clarify that the
duty to provide food and drinking water for seafarers only applies during the period of their
engagement.
These Regulations also amend various other merchant shipping regulations, using powers in
the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023, to disapply the application of those
regulations to government ships. These amendments are made by regulation 3 and Schedule 1.
Regulation 4 and Schedule 2 amend the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1104)
to insert consequential amendments that are required in respect of relevant instruments included in
that Schedule.
The Maritime Labour Convention may be downloaded from the website of the
International Labour Organization at https://www.ilo.org/international-labour-standards/maritime-
9Document Generated: 2026-04-10
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
labour-convention-2006. Copies of the MLC may be obtained as a priced publication from
www.tsoshop.co.uk, or by post from TSO Customer Services, 18 Central Avenue, St. Andrew’s
Business Park, Norwich NR7 0HR, telephone number: +44 (0) 333 202 5070.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact
on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.
An Explanatory Memorandum and a de minimis assessment have been prepared and are published
alongside the instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk.
10