Load Lines Convention 1966, 2021 Edition
The International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, adopted by the International Conference on Load Lines on 5 April 1966, entered into force on 21 July 1968 and has been modified by the 1988 Protocol relating thereto and amended by Assembly and Maritime Safety Committee resolutions over the past 50 years.
This 2021 edition includes up to date, consolidated text in line with amendments adopted up to 1 July 2021, as well as updated unified interpretations that have been keyed to relevant articles and regulations.
The International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (1966 LL Convention) was adopted by the International Conference on Load Lines on 5 April 1966 and entered into force on 21 July 1968. It has since been amended by means of Assembly resolutions as follows:
1. by Assembly resolution A.231(VII), which was adopted on 12 October 1971;
2. by Assembly resolution A.319(IX), which was adopted on 12 November 1975;
3. by Assembly resolution A.411(XI), which was adopted on 15 November 1979;
4. by Assembly resolution A.513(13), which was adopted on 17 November 1983; and
5. by Assembly resolution A.784(19), which was adopted on 23 November 1995.
6. by Assembly resolution A.961(23), which was adopted on 08 March 2004.
7. by Assembly resolution A.972(24), which was adopted on 23 January 2006.
8. by Assembly resolution A.1082(28), which was adopted on 06 December 2013.
9. by Assembly resolution A.784(19), which was adopted on 10 December 2013.
As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
In other words, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.
Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis, and IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.