Case Study: Delivering a Fully Compliant UK Crew & Payroll Solution for an LNG Carrier

Business Type: LNG Carrier
Location: UK
Key Stakeholders: Crewing Managers
Roles included in the EOR & International Payroll Solution: Entire Crew
Other Services Included: Contract Recruitment
Faststream Consultants Involved: Chris Bramley, CFO and Matt Bridge, Associate Director
When our client needed to transition their LNG gas carrier to operate in UK waters, they required a fully compliant crew and payroll solution quickly. With strict regulations and a short timeframe to replace both crew rotations, they needed a seamless transition to avoid operational delays.
Leveraging our Employer of Record (EOR) and International Payroll expertise, we delivered a tailored workforce solution, ensuring full compliance with UK employment and tax laws while maintaining uninterrupted operations.

The Challenge

Our client, a leading maritime company operating an LNG gas carrier, faced a significant challenge when their vessel was set to operate in UK waters for an extended period. The client needed a crew with the right to work in UK waters and establish a tax-compliant payroll solution. With a short timeframe to replace the crew for both crew rotations, the client required a swift and seamless solution to avoid operational delays.

The Solution

To meet the client’s urgent requirements, we implemented a comprehensive Employer of Record (EOR) and International Payroll Solution, ensuring full compliance with UK employment and tax laws.

Key actions taken:

Rapid Crew Recruitment

We market-mapped, sourced and recruited seafarers with the right to work in the UK, utilising our vast network of crew.

Tax & Employment Compliance

We implemented a fully compliant payroll solution, ensuring all crew members were paid correctly and in line with UK tax regulations.

Certification & Compliance

We verified and managed all necessary certifications, ensuring crew members met industry and regulatory standards, including MLC compliance.

Logistics Support

We arranged flights, transport, and medical checks (including drug and alcohol testing) through our trusted network of UK clinics.

Seamless Collaboration

Working closely with the client’s crewing managers, we aligned crew rotations with operational needs while maintaining full legal and tax compliance.

​The Results

We successfully transitioned the vessel’s crew to a fully UK-compliant workforce, ensuring that all seafarers had the right to work in the UK and met necessary certification requirements.

To support the client’s ongoing operations, we provided a fully managed payroll solution, guaranteeing that all crew members were paid correctly and in full compliance with UK tax regulations. This seamless approach eliminated any risk of non-compliance while ensuring fair and timely compensation for the workforce.

Throughout the transition, we maintained smooth and uninterrupted operations, minimising disruption and ensuring that vessel schedules remained on track. Our team worked closely with the client to oversee every aspect of the transition, from recruitment to payroll and compliance.

This partnership extended for two years, during which we continued to provide expert support and payroll management until the vessel left UK waters. Our tailored approach enabled the client to focus on core operations while we handled the complexities of workforce compliance.

Would you like to explore how our EOR & International Payroll Solutions can support your business? Get in touch with our experts today.

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