The implementation of International Labour Organisation - Maritime Labour Convention 2006 convention was tackled during a three-day seminar in Lisbon by the Safe Med II Project.

Funded by the EU, Safe Med is regional project run by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea. It aims to provide a level-playing field for all stakeholders in the area, improving access to information for all, offering training and assistance, and promoting a common platform for best practices to regulate maritime traffic in Mediterranean coastal states.

At the Portugal event, Safe Med explained the standards set by this convention and promoted its ratification in the project's beneficiaries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.

Safety of navigation and the co-ordinated implementation of international maritime conventions to reduce maritime accidents in the Mediterranean are among SafeMed II's main objectives.

During the seminar, held with the European Maritime Safety Agency at its headquarters, 20 participants from all 10 SafeMed beneficiaries were briefed on the convention's minimal working standards for seafarer and its stipulated set of rights. These range from conditions of employment to life on board ship, including health and welfare.

When the convention enters into force, it will give authorities in beneficiary countries increased monitoring and control powers intended to result in an improvement for all personnel on board.

The beneficial consequences reach beyond seafarers' well-being. As Mr Haakon Storhaug, senior adviser with the Norwegian Maritime Administration said: "A happy ship is a safe ship".