(1) The present Convention
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 13.
(2) An Optional Annex
shall enter into force 12 months after the date on which the conditions
stipulated in paragraph (1) of the present article have been satisfied
in relation to that Annex.
(3) The Organization
shall inform the States which have signed the present Convention or
acceded to it of the date on which it enters into force and of the
date on which an Optional Annex enters into force in accordance with
paragraph (2) of the present article.
(4) For States which
have deposited an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval
or accession in respect of the present Convention or any Optional
Annex after the requirements for entry into force thereof have been
met but prior to the date of entry into force, the ratification, acceptance,
approval or accession shall take effect on the date of entry into
force of the Convention or such Annex or three months after the date
of deposit of the instrument whichever is the later date.
(5) For States which
have deposited an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval
or accession after the date on which the Convention or an Optional
Annex entered into force, the Convention or the Optional Annex shall
become effective three months after the date of deposit of the instrument.
(6) After the date on
which all the conditions required under article 16 to bring an amendment
to the present Convention or an Optional Annex into force have been
fulfilled, any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or
accession deposited shall apply to the Convention or Annex as amended.