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Seafarer Index
Libya flag

🇱🇾 Libya

ISO LBY / LY

Regulatory

MLC 2006
not-ratified
Paris MoU rating
unknown
Tokyo MoU rating
unknown
USCG Qualship 21
not listed
ITF FoC
not listed

Registry

Vessel count
—
Deadweight
—
Administration
Libyan Maritime Transport Authority
File a complaint
—

Compliance history

Country context

Population
7,458,555 (2025)
GDP per capita
$6,449 (2025)
Income group
Upper middle income
Region
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan

Source: World Bank Open Data.

What this means for seafarers

  • MLC 2006: This flag has not ratified MLC 2006. Port-state-control inspections still apply at MLC ports under "no more favourable treatment", but the flag itself issues no MLC certificate.
  • Port-state-control profile: not-listed or unknown rating. Read about PSC regimes →
  • STCW: Party to STCW. Verify a CoC issued under this flag at the administration.

See also: flag risk explained · MLC ratification list · white/grey/black lists.

Reference

  • III Code — the IMO flag-state audit scheme measuring implementation of IMO instruments.
  • Port state control — how Libya-flagged ships are inspected + detained in foreign ports.
  • Minimum safe manning — the SOLAS V/14 basis for Libya's manning documents.
  • Marine cyber incidents — case studies + the IACS UR E26/E27 cyber-resilience regime.
No vessels indexed under Libya yet. Try MarineTraffic vessels under LBY.

Ports in Libya

All ports in Libya →

Libya flag: FAQ

Is the Libya flag safe for seafarers?
The Libya flag has weaker port-state-control ratings under one or both MoU regimes. It has not ratified MLC 2006, so MLC-based complaint routes are not directly available. Operators on weaker-rated flags are not always poor employers, but they face less external regulatory pressure.
Has Libya ratified the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)?
No — Libya has not ratified MLC 2006 as of the last update of this directory. Seafarers on Libya-flagged vessels still benefit from MLC indirectly when calling at MLC-ratified ports (port state may inspect the vessel) but cannot lodge a direct convention-based complaint against the flag administration.
How do I file a complaint against a Libya-flagged vessel or operator?
Complaints can be lodged with the Libyan Maritime Transport Authority. Without MLC ratification, the principal route is direct to the flag administration. The ITF and seafarer welfare organisations may still be able to help with operator-level disputes. Keep contract, wage records, and seaman's book ready.
What port-state-control rating does Libya have?
Paris MoU rating: unknown. Tokyo MoU rating: unknown. PSC ratings classify flags by inspection and detention history. White / low-risk flags face fewer PSC inspections; black / high-risk flags face more frequent inspection and a higher detention rate.
Is Libya on the ITF Flag of Convenience (FoC) list?
No — Libya is not currently on the ITF Flag of Convenience list. Seafarers retain general ITF-channel access for advocacy and abandonment response regardless of FoC status.

Compare Libya with another flag

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High confidence

Editorial confidence: how we grade. Data sources and methodology: /sources.

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