Port responds to minimum wage consultation for seafarers

Mike Sellers, Portsmouth International Port’s director said: “Seafarers are critical to trade, being at sea means the very nature of their work can be challenging, which is why any improvements to pay and conditions is vital. But a national minimum wage should apply to all seafarers who regularly call into the UK, not just ferries. It could also create an unfair trading position, where freight is cheaper to ship on lo lo vessels because staffing costs are lower.

“It is also essential that the methods to enforce this doesn’t fall to ports and we will be making this clear in the consultation.

“So while we are supportive of attempts to improve conditions for seafarers, there are complex arrangements to navigate to make sure the solution isn’t one which can be taken advantage of, and also ports aren’t liable to police companies.”

For more information on the consultation go to gov.uk