1 The present Protocol shall enter into force
twelve months after the date on which both the following conditions
have been met:
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(a) not less than fifteen States, the combined
merchant fleets of which constitute not less than fifty per cent of
the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping, have expressed
their consent to be bound by it in accordance with article IV, and
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(b) the conditions for the entry into force of
the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention on Load
Lines, 1966, have been met,
provided that the present Protocol shall not enter into force
before 1 February 1992.
2 For States which have deposited an instrument
of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession in respect of the
present Protocol after the conditions 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 present Protocol or three months after the
date of deposit of the instrument, whichever is the later date.
3 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.
4 After the date on which an amendment to the
present Protocol is deemed to have been accepted under article VI, any instrument of ratification,
acceptance, approval or accession deposited shall apply to the present
Protocol as amended.