The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea says that ships have the nationality of their flag state, and that ships are subject exclusively to the flag states jurisdiction on the high seas. The flag state also has a duty to assume jurisdiction over the ship, its officers and crew.
However, the European Court of Justice has recently held that seafarers living in a Member State, who are hired to work on a ship with a non-EU flag, may be protected under EU law if the company becomes insolvent.
EU insolvency protection
The EU Insolvency Protection Directive requires Member States to guarantee certain claims by employees against insolvent employers.
In the matter of Elliniko Dimosio v Stroum…
Read the full article at: http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/eu-insolvency-law-protection-can-apply-to-non-eu-ships/