Status of Treaties in IMO GISIS – Maritime Education

An Introduction and Practical Guide to IMO Conventions and Global Ratification

Introduction: Why the Status of Treaties Matters in International Shipping

International shipping is governed by a unique legal system. Unlike national laws, maritime regulations are created at the international level and only become binding when countries formally accept them. This acceptance process—known as ratification or accession—determines whether an IMO convention is legally applicable in a particular State.

For shipowners, operators, port authorities, regulators, inspectors, educators, and researchers, it is essential to know which IMO conventions are in force, which countries are parties, and from what date obligations apply. A regulation that is mandatory for one flag State may not yet apply to another.

To provide transparency and authoritative information on this issue, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) offers the “Status of Treaties” module within the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).

This article provides a comprehensive introduction and practical guide to the Status of Treaties option in GISIS. It explains what treaty status means, how the module works, what information it provides, and why it is critical for compliance, policy analysis, and maritime education worldwide.

Understanding GISIS and Its Legal Governance Role

What Is the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System?

The Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) is an IMO-managed online platform that consolidates maritime information submitted by IMO Member States under international conventions, codes, and resolutions.

GISIS supports:

Transparency in international maritime regulation
Consistent implementation of IMO instruments
Access to official, State-submitted data
Legal and administrative clarity

Among its modules, Status of Treaties plays a central role in understanding the legal reach of IMO regulations.

What Does “Status of Treaties” Mean?

Treaties, Conventions, and Mandatory Instruments

In IMO terminology, a treaty usually refers to:

An IMO convention (such as SOLAS or MARPOL)
A protocol or amendment to a convention
A mandatory code made binding through a convention

The “status” of a treaty describes:

Whether it has entered into force
Which States are parties
The dates of ratification, accession, or acceptance
Any declarations or reservations made by States

Why Treaty Status Is Crucial for Maritime Compliance

Legal Applicability Is Not Automatic

An IMO convention does not automatically apply worldwide when adopted. It only becomes binding when:

The required number of States ratify it, and
Each individual State accepts it through national legal procedures

Therefore, knowing the status of treaties is essential to determine legal obligations.

Purpose of the Status of Treaties Module in GISIS

Core Objectives

The Status of Treaties module aims to:

Provide official information on IMO conventions and protocols
Show which States are parties to each instrument
Indicate dates of entry into force and acceptance
Support legal clarity and regulatory certainty

It acts as the authoritative reference point for treaty participation.

What Information Is Available in the GISIS Status of Treaties Module?

Types of Information Displayed

Depending on the instrument selected, the module may show:

Title of the convention or protocol
Date of adoption
Date of entry into force
List of Contracting States
Date of ratification, accession, or acceptance for each State
Declarations, reservations, or statements (where applicable)

This information is structured and standardized across instruments.

Major IMO Conventions Covered

SOLAS – Safety of Life at Sea

The Status of Treaties module shows:

Which States are parties to SOLAS
Acceptance of protocols and amendments
Global coverage of safety obligations

SOLAS is one of the most widely ratified IMO conventions.

MARPOL – Prevention of Pollution from Ships

For MARPOL, the module provides:

Ratification status of the convention
Acceptance of individual annexes (I–VI)
Dates when obligations became binding

This is critical because not all States accept all annexes.

STCW – Seafarer Training and Certification

The module shows:

Participation in the STCW Convention
Acceptance of major amendments
Global implementation status of training standards

Other IMO Instruments

The module also covers:

Load Line Convention
Ballast Water Management Convention
Anti-Fouling Systems Convention
Tonnage Measurement Convention
Maritime Labour Convention (via IMO/ILO coordination references)

Who Submits and Maintains Treaty Status Information?

Role of IMO Member States and the IMO Secretariat

States notify the IMO of ratification or accession
The IMO Secretariat records and publishes this information
GISIS acts as the official public interface

The data is therefore legally authoritative.

How to Access the Status of Treaties Module in GISIS

Step 1: Enter the GISIS Public Area

Users access GISIS via the IMO website and enter the Public Area, which does not require login.

Step 2: Select “Status of Treaties”

From the GISIS module list, users select “Status of Treaties”.

Step 3: Choose a Convention or Instrument

Users can:

Select a specific IMO convention
View participation by State
Check entry-into-force dates and legal coverage

Practical Use Cases of the Status of Treaties Module

Shipowners and Operators

Shipowners use the module to:

Confirm which conventions apply to their flag
Understand compliance obligations
Plan fleet upgrades and certification

Flag State Administrations

Administrations rely on treaty status data to:

Track national commitments
Coordinate implementation timelines
Support legislative and regulatory processes

Port State Control Authorities

PSC authorities use treaty status information to:

Determine applicable requirements during inspections
Understand differences between flag States
Apply regulations correctly and consistently

Importance for Chartering, Insurance, and Finance

Contractual and Risk Considerations

Charterers and insurers need to know:

Whether a ship operates under fully ratified conventions
If environmental or safety rules apply
Regulatory risk exposure

GISIS treaty status data supports due diligence and risk assessment.

Role in Maritime Policy and Research

Supporting Evidence-Based Policy

Researchers and policymakers use treaty status data to:

Analyze global adoption trends
Identify regulatory gaps
Assess effectiveness of IMO instruments

This supports continuous improvement of maritime governance.

Relationship with Other GISIS Modules

The Status of Treaties module complements:

Ship and Company Particulars – identifying applicable flags
Recognized Organizations – delegation under conventions
Marine Casualties and Incidents – safety outcomes
Port Reception Facilities – MARPOL implementation

Together, they provide a complete regulatory context.

Common Misunderstandings About Treaty Status

Entry into Force vs National Implementation

A convention may be in force internationally but still require:

National legislation
Administrative arrangements

GISIS shows treaty status, not domestic law details.

Acceptance of Annexes and Amendments

For conventions like MARPOL, annex acceptance is not automatic. GISIS clarifies which parts apply.

Best Practices for Using the Status of Treaties Module

Always check treaty status by flag State
Pay attention to entry-into-force dates
Review annex-specific acceptance
Use GISIS as the primary legal reference
Combine with flag State circulars when necessary

Educational Value for Maritime Students and Training Institutions

For maritime education, this module provides:

Clear understanding of international maritime law
Practical insight into treaty-based regulation
Real-world context for compliance and enforcement

It is especially useful in courses on:

Maritime law
International regulation
Port State Control
Maritime policy and governance

Treaty Status in a Changing Regulatory Landscape

New Regulations and Amendments

As IMO continues to address:

Climate change
Digitalization
Automation
Environmental protection

Tracking treaty status will remain essential for global consistency.

Conclusion: Legal Clarity at the Core of Global Shipping

The Status of Treaties option in the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System is a foundational tool for understanding which international maritime rules apply, where, and from when.

By providing authoritative information on the participation of States in IMO conventions and mandatory instruments, the module ensures legal certainty, transparency, and fairness in the global shipping system.

For shipowners, regulators, port authorities, educators, researchers, and students, the GISIS Status of Treaties module is an indispensable reference in navigating the complex but essential framework of international maritime law.

In an industry built on international cooperation, this GISIS module quietly underpins the rule-based order that keeps global shipping safe, clean, and predictable.

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