Seafarers' Charter compliance assessment and comparison
Updated 5 June 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-seafarers-charter/seafarers-charter-compliance-assessment-and-comparison
Verified Seafarers’ Charter status
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.
Comparison of operators of frequent international passenger services from the UK
| Provision | DFDS Seaways | Brittany Ferries | Stena Line | P&O Ferries | Irish Ferries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
National Minimum Wage equivalent Pay compliant with Seafarers’ Wages Act |
Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | No application received |
| Overtime pay | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | No application received |
| Maritime Skills and Professional Development | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | No application received |
|
Contracts of Employment Permanent employment contracts, without deductions for accommodation |
Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | No application received |
|
Social Welfare Standards Including pensions and maternity and paternity provision |
Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Partially compliant | No application received |
|
Tours of duty Maximum of 2 weeks on/off on high intensity routes; risk assessment |
Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | No application received |
| Rest | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | No application received |
| Familiarisation training | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | No application received |
|
Drug and alcohol Random testing at least every 12 months |
Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | No application received |
| Outcome | Verified Seafarers’ Charter status | Verified Seafarers’ Charter status | Verified Seafarers’ Charter status | Not currently fully compliant | No assessment |
Note that while an assessment of ‘Compliant’ means that an operator is assessed to have met the standard set out in the Seafarers’ Charter, in some cases, operators with verified Seafarers’ Charter status have exceeded the charter’s standards.
See the Seafarers’ Charter detailed requirements for information about the requirements of the Seafarers’ Charter.