The International Labor Organization (ILO) has reached a new global minimum wage agreement for seafarers, with advanced increases planned for the next three years. During meetings in Geneva on April 14th and 15th, 2025, the agreement was reached and approved by the ILO management committee in November. This structured wage increase will raise the monthly minimum wage for capable seafarers to $690 in January 2026, increasing to $715 by January 2028, representing a more than 6% increase from the current wage of $673 per month since January 2025.
Being the only industry with a recognized global minimum wage system since 1958, the maritime industry’s global trade tensions and economic uncertainties make this agreement crucial. Representing the shipping group, Pål Tangen from the Norwegian reception association stated that the agreement balances recognizing seafarers’ contributions and maintaining the industry’s commercial sustainability. Mark Dickinson from Nautilus International emphasized the vital role of seafarers in providing goods globally.
The negotiations were mediated through the ILO’s Joint Maritime Commission (JMC), involving maritime employers and international seafarers’ unions coordinated by the International Transport Association (ITF). The agreement reflects a commitment to decent work at sea, with the next review of the global minimum wage planned for the first half of 2028. As global trade conflicts loom, potentially affecting nearly two million seafarers, this agreement is a significant accomplishment in maintaining fair wages and work conditions in the maritime industry.
