Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (LLPROT 1988)

General Information

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What is it about?

The 1988 Load Lines Protocol was primarily adopted in order to harmonize the Convention's survey and certification requirement with those contained in two other conventions; SOLAS 74 and MARPOL 73/78. The aim is to alleviate problems caused by the fact that as requirements in the three instruments vary, ships may be obliged to go into dry-dock for a survey required by one convention shortly after being surveyed in connection with another. The Protocol also revised certain regulations in the technical Annexes to the Load Lines Convention and introduced the tacit amendment procedure (which was already applicable to the 1974 SOLAS Convention).

Why is it relevant?

By enabling the required surveys to be carried out at the same time, the system is intended to reduce costs for shipowners and administrations alike.

Additional Information

In December 2007, 85 states had ratified the Protocol, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute approximately 93% of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant fleet.

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