A4. What is meant by the concept of “no more favourable treatment”?

Article V, paragraph 7 of the MLC, 2006 contains what is often called the “no more favourable treatment clause”. It seeks to ensure a “level playing field” under which the ships flying the flag of countries that have ratified the Convention will not be placed at a competitive disadvantage as compared with ships flying the flag of countries that have not ratified the MLC, 2006. Although it appears that Article V, paragraph 7, could conceivably apply in various situations, in practice it relates essentially to the context of port State control under Regulation 5.2.1, with respect to ships flying a foreign flag and calling at a port of a ratifying country [see C5.3.i.].

General questions about the MLC, 2006