1 The present Protocol
shall enter into force 12 months after the date on which not less
than 15 States, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not
less than 50 per cent of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant
shipping, have become Parties to it in accordance with article IV of the present Protocol.
2 Any instrument of ratification,
acceptance, approval or accession deposited after the date on which
the present Protocol enters into force shall take effect three months
after the date of deposit.
3 After the date on which
an amendment to the present Protocol is deemed to have been accepted
in accordance with article 16 of
the Convention, any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval
or accession deposited shall apply to the present Protocol as amended.