# The Seafarers’ Wages (Amendment) Regulations 2026

S.I. 2026/244 · made 4 March 2026

These Regulations amend regulation 14(1) of the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024 (the “2024 Regulations”) to increase the hourly rates specified for the purposes of the national minimum wage equivalent. These Regulations come into force on 1st April 2026.

Made under: Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023 (Section 4)

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/seafarers-wages-amendment-regulations-2026/pdf/uksi_20260244_en.pdf; UK Explanatory Memorandum https://openlegislation.uk/seafarers-wages-amendment-regulations-2026/pdf/uksiem_20260244_en_001.pdf

## Introductory text

MERCHANT SHIPPING
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
HARBOURS, DOCKS, PIERS AND FERRIES
Made 4th March 2026
Laid before Parliament 10th March 2026
Coming into force 1st April 2026
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 4(6) of the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023.

## 1 Citation, commencement and extent

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Seafarers’ Wages (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
(2) These Regulations come into force on 1st April 2026.
(3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

## 2 Amendments to the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024

(1) The Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024 are amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1) of regulation 14 (the national minimum wage equivalent)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for “£12.21” substitute “£12.71”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “£10.00” substitute “£10.85”;
(c) in sub-paragraph (c), for “£7.55” substitute “£8.00”;
(d) in sub-paragraph (d), for “£7.55” substitute “£8.00”.

## Signature

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Department for Transport
4th March 2026

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend regulation 14(1) of the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024 (the “2024 Regulations”) to increase the hourly rates specified for the purposes of the national minimum wage equivalent. These Regulations come into force on 1st April 2026.
A full impact assessment has not been produced in respect of these Regulations. A full impact assessment of the effect that the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023 and associated regulations would have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector was undertaken prior to the passing of the Act. That impact assessment was updated prior to the making of the 2024 Regulations and is available from the Department for Transport, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR and is published alongside those Regulations at www.legislation.gov.uk. The impact assessment took account of an annual increase to the national minimum wage equivalent rates. No significant impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen as a result of these Regulations. The Explanatory Memorandum is published alongside these Regulations at www.legislation.gov.uk.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/244 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/seafarers-wages-amendment-regulations-2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.