Saturday 27 / September / 2025
Oman has newly enacted the Maritime Labour Regulation under Ministerial Decision 313/2025, pursuant to Royal Decree 62/2021 on the Sultanate’s accession to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. The regulation implements Oman’s commitments under the Convention, establishes comprehensive rights and duties for all Omani and foreign seafarers on ships falling within its scope, excluding fishing and traditional vessels, warships, war-supply ships, and vessels operating in protected waters.
Speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman, on the occasion of World Maritime Day i.e., 25 September 2025, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Founding Partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, said that “the newly issued regulation establishes a framework where seafarers have specific responsibilities to ensure safety and professionalism. This includes the operator’s responsibility to ensure every seafarer holds a valid medical certificate of at least six months’ validity and to adhere to occupational safety and health standards on board, which are fundamental for the protection of everyone on the vessel.”
He further stated that “in return for their duties, seafarers are granted rights designed to ensure their well-being. The regulation guarantees a minimum of 10 hours’ rest per day and 77 hours every seven days, with limits on dividing rest periods and working time between rests. Furthermore, it ensures paid annual leave of no less than 30 days. A critical right is the operator’s obligation to return seafarers to the port of contract or any other agreed-upon port at the operator’s own expense. This applies in key situations, such as the end of the contract in a foreign port, termination of the contract, the seafarer’s inability to work, or if their service exceeds nine consecutive months.
“Additionally, operators are obligated to provide free medical care and health insurance, as well as compensation in the unfortunate event of a ship’s loss.”
He clarified that “this regulation serves as the special law for the maritime sector. For any matter not explicitly covered by it, the provisions of the Omani Labour Law will apply. Additionally, the regulation requires seafarer contracts to be in Arabic or have an approved Arabic copy and obliges certain ships to carry a Maritime Labour Certificate confirming compliance.”
He concluded by stating that the regulation marks a significant step forward in securing dignity, fair treatment, and safe working conditions for the seafarers.
* (Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established 18 years ago and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).
