After two days of negotiations, a new settlement on the global minimum wage for seafarers has been reached at the International Labour Organization (ILO) headquarters in Geneva,
The pay deal foresees an overall increase of 6.2% on the current minimum wage level
The pay level for qualified seafarers will rise from $673 to $690 a month from January 2026. From 1st January 2027, it will increase to $704 per month. From January 2028 it will hit $715 per month.
“This agreement strikes a careful and considered balance between recognizing the vital contribution of seafarers and maintaining the commercial sustainability of the global shipping industry,” said Pål Tangen, spokesman for the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association.“Seafarers play an indispensable role in keeping world trade flowing, often under tough and unpredictable conditions… this resolution reflects our respect for their service”
According to the Director of the Sectoral Policy Department of the ILO, Frank Hagemann, what the pay rise is not just a technical adjustment, “it reflects a shared responsibility and commitment to uphold decent work at sea.”
Translation by Giles Foster
