2002 Athens Protocol will enter into force in 2014

Belgium became the tenth state to ratify the 2002 Protocol to the Athens Convention thereby triggering the entry into force criteria. The Protocol will therefore have effect internationally (for the States that have ratified) from 23 April 2014. The IG will continue to engage with those EU States who will be Parties to the Athens Protocol avoid unwanted complications on blue cards or State certificates issued for the Passenger Liability Regulation.

The States that have ratified are: Albania, Belgium, Belize, Denmark, Latvia, The Netherlands, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia and Syria. 

Further details are available from the IMO’s web site:

http://www.imo.org/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/13-athens-2002-.aspx