Arbeit auf See – trotz Regulierung prekär

The author examines the question why poor working conditions continue to prevail in the cargo shipping industry despite the Maritime Labour Convention, which has been signed by almost all flag states, and improved monitoring of this law through regional port state control agreements. He answers this question by discussing the gaps in maritime labour law and its monitoring and, above all, the market power of shipping lines. The concentration of capital and the antitrust exemptions for shipping company alliances give shipping lines a strong position vis-à-vis crews, port operators and states. This position justifies the final recommendation to hold shipping companies accountable with the law on due diligence in the supply chain.