Committee publication · Correspondence · 10 June 2026
Letter from the Minister for Maritime, Department for Transport relating to seafarers' welfare, dated 4 June 2026
From: Transport Committee
Summary
The Minister for Maritime announces new government protections for seafarers working on UK-France and UK-Channel Island services, including mandatory rest periods (2 weeks work followed by equal rest), National Minimum Wage equivalence for entire journeys (not just UK waters), and enforcement powers for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Three operators—Brittany Ferries, DFDS Seaways, and Stena Line—have achieved verified status under the voluntary Seafarers' Charter.
Key findings
- New regulations will require ferry operators to pay UK National Minimum Wage equivalent for entire journeys, extending beyond current requirement limited to UK waters only
- Seafarers cannot be required to work more than 2 weeks continuously; must be followed by equal rest period onshore
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency gains investigation and prosecution powers for non-compliance with new regulations
- Brittany Ferries, DFDS Seaways, and Stena Line verified as meeting Seafarers' Charter standards covering welfare, working conditions, training, and professional development
- Government will review Seafarers' Charter within two years with ongoing engagement with industry and trade unions
Tone
SupportiveTopics
Key actors
Keir Mather MP, Ruth Cadbury MP, Department for Transport, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Brittany Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Stena Line, French government
Notable line
“… seafarers cannot be required to work onboard for more than 2 weeks, followed by an equal period of rest onshore.”
Key Quotes
“… thousands of seafarers working across the Channel are to benefit from proper rest periods, fair pay, and stronger protections”
“The proposed new regulations will require operators to pay NMWe for the entire journey, and will mean that seafarers cannot be required to work onboard for more than 2 weeks, followed by an equal period of rest onshore.”
“These new regulations will make the requirements enforceable in the UK, and will give the Maritime and Coastguard Agency powers to investigate and prosecute those that do not comply.”
“… we are pleased to confirm that Brittany Ferries (including operations previously under Condor Ferries), DFDS Seaways and Stena Line have Verified Seafarers' Charter Status”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗