Guidance

The Seafarers' Charter

The Seafarers' Charter is a voluntary agreement of standards for seafarers between the UK government and maritime operators.

• From: Department for Transport
• Published: 24 July 2023
• Last updated: 5 June 2026 — See all updates

Documents

The Seafarers' Charter

PDF, 202 KB, 4 pages

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Seafarers' Charter compliance assessment and comparison

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The Seafarers' Charter detailed requirements

PDF, 228 KB, 7 pages

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The Seafarers' Charter questions and answers

PDF, 223 KB, 11 pages

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Details

The purpose of the charter is to promote good employment practices and protections for seafarers. It aims to protect and improve seafarer welfare and employment. It sets out standards for operators relating to:

• pay
• professional development
• contracts of employment
• social welfare
• tours of duty and rest
• training
• drugs and alcohol

Operators who can demonstrate that they comply with the standards set out in the charter can apply for verified Seafarers’ Charter status.

The Seafarers’ Charter document sets out:

• the objectives and scope of the charter
• the application and verification process

The Seafarers’ Charter detailed requirements document sets out the standards operators must meet to receive verified Seafarers’ Charter status.

The Seafarers’ Charter questions and answers document provides additional context and detail that may be helpful to operators.

Organisations wishing to find out more or wishing to apply for verified Seafarers’ Charter status, should contact seafarerscharter@dft.gov.uk.

Seafarers’ Charter compliance assessment and comparison

In June 2026, the Department for Transport announced that it had assessed that the following operators meet the standards of the Seafarers’ Charter and have therefore achieved verified Seafarers’ Charter status:

• Brittany Ferries (routes between the UK, Guernsey and France)
• DFDS Seaways  (routes between the UK, Jersey and France)
• Stena Line (routes between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland)

P&O Ferries submitted evidence in support of an application for verified Seafarers’ Charter status in relation to its route between the UK and France. Its application was assessed as meeting the standards in 8 of 9 sections of the charter, but it is not currently fully compliant.

No application was received from Irish Ferries.

See Seafarers’ Charter compliance assessment and comparison.

Published 24 July 2023

Last updated 5 June 2026 — Show all updates

1. 5 June 2026

   Seafarers’ Charter compliance assessment and comparison.

2. 24 July 2023

   First published.