The Convention is also one of the oldest of its kind: the first version was adopted in 1914 following the sinking of the Titanic with the loss of more than 1,500 lives. Since then there have been four more versions of SOLAS. The present version was adopted in 1974 and entered into force in 1980.
In order to provide an easy reference to all SOLAS requirements applicable from 1 January 2020, this edition presents a consolidated text of the Convention, its Protocols of 1978 and 1988 and all amendments in effect from that date. Additionally, this edition includes Unified Interpretations to SOLAS regulations, which were adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee.
Part 1
Articles of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974
Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974
Consolidated text of the annex to the 1974 SOLAS Convention and the 1988 Protocol relating thereto
Chapter I General provisions
Chapter II-1 Construction – Structure, subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations
Chapter II-2 Construction – Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction
Chapter III Life-saving appliances and arrangements
Chapter IV Radiocommunications
Chapter V Safety of navigation
Chapter VI Carriage of cargoes and oil fuels
Chapter VII Carriage of dangerous goods
Chapter VIII Nuclear ships
Chapter IX Management for the safe operation of ships
Chapter X Safety measures for high-speed craft
Chapter XI-1 Special measures to enhance maritime safety
Chapter XI-2 Special measures to enhance maritime security
Chapter XII Additional safety measures for bulk carriers
Chapter XIII Verification of compliance
Chapter XIV Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters
Appendix Certificates
Part 2
Annex 1 Certificates and documents required to be carried on board ships
Annex 2 List of resolutions adopted by the SOLAS Conferences
1 The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, currently in force, was adopted on 1 November 1974 by the International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea, under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and entered into force on 25 May 1980. It has since been amended twice by means of protocols:
.1 by the Protocol adopted on 17 February 1978 by the International Conference on Tanker Safety and Pollution Prevention (1978 SOLAS Protocol), which entered into force on 1 May 1981; and
.2 by the Protocol adopted on 11 November 1988 by the International Conference on the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (1988 SOLAS Protocol), which entered into force on 3 February 2000 and replaced and abrogated the 1978 Protocol, as between Parties to the 1988 Protocol.
As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
In other words, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.
Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. And IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.
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