
VWH CLA 2025
VWH and Nautilus in agreement
The Association of Employers in Merchant Shipping (VWH) The Association of Employers in the Merchant Shipping (VWH) is an organization representing the interests of employers in the merchant shipping sector. VWH promotes collaboration among shipping companies, supports members with employment conditions, and provides advice on laws and regulations. The association plays a crucial role in strengthening the sector. and the union Nautilus Nautilus International is a trade union that represents maritime professionals, including seafarers, shipmasters, and maritime workers. reached an agreement at the beginning of 2025 on a one-year CLA. The social partners have since dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's, and now the text of the VWH CLA 2025 is final for VWH members.
As in previous years, the Minister of Social Affairs will be asked to declare the VWH CLA 2025 generally binding. This declaration means that the VWH CLA 2025 will apply to all seafarers sailing under the Dutch flag in merchant shipping.

Download the VWH CLA 2025 here!
New in the VWH CLA 2025 is the 5% salary increase as of January 1, 2025. In addition, the social partners made agreements on 10 extra paid care leave days per year and the availability of free communication tools on board to easily stay in touch with home. These are agreements that contribute to a good work-life balance. This also applies to sailing on a 1:1 schedule.
To enable flexible sailing schedules, the new CLA states that employers can agree on such schedules in consultation with the union Nautilus. Furthermore, the social partners will work on a future-proof RVU scheme The RVU scheme (Regeling Vervroegde Uittreding) allows employees to stop working up to three years before their state pension age. Employers pay less tax on the benefit up to a certain amount, making early retirement financially more attractive. that will apply after 2025.
Merchant shipping is an attractive sector and deserves this CLA!
The Dutch text of the VWH CLA 2025 is now available. The English translation will follow as soon as possible.
Contact...
