Existing ILO maritime labour Conventions will gradually be eliminated once countries ratify the MLC. A transitional period will operate for some Conventions alongside the MLC. Countries that ratify the MLC are not bound by existing Conventions upon entry into force. Non ratifying countries remain bound by Conventions they ratified. Previous Conventions will be closed to further ratification. MLC Entry into force will not affect the four excluded maritime Conventions below which are binding on ratifying States. Fishing and dock workers are also unaffected. All maritime Conventions, adopted since 1920, are included except:
• the seafarers’ identity documents of 2003 (No. 185)
• the 1958 seafarers’ identity documents Convention (No. 108),
• the Seafarers’ Pension Convention, 1946 (No. 71) and
• the Minimum Age (Trimmers and Stokers) Convention, 1921 (No. 15).