Definition of the Responsible Party: Shipowner Under International Law

Maritime labour law is part of the general discipline of international law. Accordingly, the development of international maritime labour law cannot take place in isolation from existing structures of international law. Therefore, before the discussion on the responsible party under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)—the shipowner, an understanding of the wider legal environment, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international conventions regulating shipping and maritime labour, is necessary.