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Seafarer Index
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Manning agencies

A manning (or crewing) agency recruits and supplies seafarers to shipping operators — the principal — under a manning agreement. The agency is the seafarer's point of contact for contract issuing, joining travel, salary remittance, and shore-side queries. Under MLC 2006 Regulation 1.4, the flag state and the agency's home country are jointly responsible for ensuring agencies are licensed, do not charge seafarers a placement fee, and have a financial-security mechanism for unpaid wages.

This index lists 53 agencies. Heavy on Philippine, Indian, and Ukrainian agencies — the world's largest seafarer-supplying nations.

Red flags before signing

If something goes wrong

  1. Raise it with the agency in writing — email, with a clear statement of the issue.
  2. If unresolved, contact the flag state of the vessel (the flag must accept complaints under MLC 2006 Regulation 5.1.5) and the seafarer's national authority.
  3. Contact the ITF Inspectorate — an inspector can attend the vessel in port.
  4. Reach ISWAN SeafarerHelp for case management and welfare support.

By country

All manning agencies (53)

See also

Inclusion in this index is not an endorsement. We do not verify each agency's current licensing or compliance status — always check with the regulator and the relevant flag state before signing.