(1) The present Convention shall come into force
twenty-four months after the date on which not less than twenty-five
Governments of States the combined merchant fleets of which constitute
not less than sixty-five per cent of the gross tonnage of the world's
merchant shipping have signed without reservation as to acceptance
or deposited instruments of acceptance or accession in accordance
with Article 16. The Organization shall
inform all Governments which have signed or acceded to the present
Convention of the date on which it comes into force.
(2) For Governments which have deposited an instrument
of acceptance of or accession to the present Convention during the
twenty-four months mentioned in paragraph (1) of this Article, the
acceptance or accession shall take effect on the coming into force
of the present Convention or three months after the date of deposit
of the instrument of acceptance or accession, whichever is the later
date.
(3) For Governments which have deposited an instrument
of acceptance of or accession to the present Convention after the
date on which it comes into force, the Convention shall come into
force three months after the date of the deposit of such instrument.
(4) After the date on which all the measures required
to bring an amendment to the present Convention into force have been
completed, or all necessary acceptances are deemed to have been given
under sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (2) of Article
18 in case of amendment by unanimous acceptance, any instrument
of acceptance or accession deposited shall be deemed to apply to the
Convention as amended.