THE FOUR PILLARS OF THE REGULATORY REGIMEIN THE MERCHANT NAVY. SOLAS, STWC AND MARPOL CONVENTIONS AND MLC OF THE WORLD LABOR ORGANIZATION

Abstract

This study aims to present and summarize the most important agendas of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Conventions and their specific and complementary codes related to Navigation Safety. It also includes the most important agendas of a Convention of the International Labour Organization (ILO) which, in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization, defined the minimum conditions for habitability and work for crew members on board ships. The three IMO Conventions, along with the ILO Convention, form the "Four Pillars of International Maritime Industry Safety." Currently, the IMO has about 50 conventions and over 800 standards and codes. The topics are complex, specific, and very comprehensive, which would make it unfeasible to cite them in a single article. For the execution of this research, a commented interpretation of the Conventions and their codes was carried out, as well as comments from various authors whose goal is to present a general and succinct overview of the regulatory structure on which Brazilian legislation for Navigation Safety, Ship Protection, crew members, Port Facilities, and environmental Preservation in the marine ecosystem is based. The article will demonstrate that accidents in the maritime industry are not related to a single deficiency or root cause but to the alignment of various failures and deviations, a consequence of inadequate procedures, lack of crew qualification, failure in shipbuilding projects, and the lack of awareness from Shipowners in allocating resources for Safety, Protection, and Environmental Preservation. Therefore, in order to avoid or mitigate these gaps, the U.N. through its Agency, the International Maritime Organization, consolidated standards and regulations that have achieved a significant reduction in accidents in the maritime industry internationally, establishing new concepts, awareness, and ways to promote Safety in the seas of the world. Additionally, the article will be complemented by an interview with an expert in the field of maritime safety.

Keywords: IMO Conventions, NORMAM, Maritime Industry, ILO, Marine Environmental, Safety Navigation.