Global agreement reached on new seafarer wage levels
Talks led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) have set a new global minimum wage for seafarers from 2026 to 2028, pending approval by the ILO Governing Body in November.
The discussions took place at the Joint Maritime Commission (JMC) Subcommittee on Wages of Seafarers in Geneva on 14 and 15 April 2025.
Representatives of shipowners and seafarers’ unions participated in the negotiations, coordinated by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
The proposed monthly global seafarer minimum wages are:
- US$690, effective 1 January 2026
- US$704, effective 1 January 2027
- US$715, effective 1 January 2028
These increases represent a rise of more than 6 per cent, following the previous agreement from September 2022, which set the rate at US$673 from January 2025. The global maritime industry is currently the only sector with a formally recognised global minimum wage, which has been in place since 1958 and has been mandated under the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention.
Pål Tangen of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, who served as spokesperson for the shipowners’ group, says: “This agreement strikes a careful and considered balance between recognising the vital contribution of seafarers and maintaining the commercial sustainability of the global shipping industry.
“Seafarers play an indispensable role in keeping world trade flowing, often under tough and unpredictable conditions. These are not ordinary times, and this resolution reflects our respect for their service, while ensuring that shipowners can continue to operate in a highly competitive and volatile global market.”
Mark Dickinson of Nautilus International, spokesperson for the seafarers’ group, adds: “Seafarers are crucial in delivering 90 per cent of all goods for people in every nation of the world and the ITF will always demand proper recognition for these workers. Last week we made an important breakthrough with recognition of seafarers’ key worker status in the Maritime Labour Convention. This week we have taken a further step to improve their welfare through pay rises that both retain and increase the value of the ILO AB minimum wage, taking into account increases in the cost of living since 2022.”
The talks took place in the context of increasing global trade tensions. During the talks, several delegates expressed concern over the possibility of a wider trade conflict that could disrupt global shipping and affect the livelihoods of nearly two million seafarers.
“The outcome of this wholly unique global collective bargaining forum represents more than just a technical adjustment to the minimum wage,” says Frank Hagemann, director of the ILO Sectoral Policies Department. “It reflects a shared responsibility and commitment to uphold decent work at sea.”
The global minimum wage will next be reviewed by the JMC in the first half of 2028.
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