{"id":20162,"date":"2026-02-25T09:37:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T08:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/?p=20162"},"modified":"2026-02-25T09:37:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T08:37:28","slug":"global-treaty-on-fishing-vessel-safety-to-enter-into-force-in-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/global-treaty-on-fishing-vessel-safety-to-enter-into-force-in-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Global treaty on fishing vessel safety to enter into force in 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Argentina accedes to the Cape Town Agreement, triggering its entry into force in 12 months.<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u200bAmbassador of the Argentine Republic to the United Kingdom, H.E. Ms. Mariana Edith Plaza, deposited Argentina’s instrument of accession to the Cape Town Agreement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The\u00a02012 Cape Town Agreement<\/a>\u00a0has met the requirements for entry into force and will enter into force in February 2027, closing a longstanding gap in the global maritime safety framework.<\/p>\n

The Agreement sets out mandatory safety standards for more than 45,000 fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over, according to\u00a0FAO data<\/a>, helping to prevent casualties, improve working conditions for fishers, enhance competitiveness and protect the marine environment.<\/p>\n

Welcoming the milestone, IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez said:<\/p>\n

\u201cThousands of fishers lose their lives every year while working to supply the world’s growing appetite for fish and fish products. The 2012 Cape Town Agreement will help protect fishing crews, while safeguarding vessels.\u201d<\/p>\n

Argentina accedes to the CTA<\/h3>\n

Argentina became the latest country to\u00a0accede<\/a>\u00a0to the Agreement, with H.E. Ms. Mariana Edith Plaza, Argentina\u2019s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, depositing the instrument of accession on 24 February 2026 at IMO Headquarters in London.<\/p>\n

This brings the total number of Member State accessions to 28, representing 3,754 vessels of 24 metres or more in length. The Cape Town Agreement enters into force 12 months after at least 22 States, collectively representing 3,600 qualifying fishing vessels – typically ocean-going ships operating on the high seas – consent to being bound by the treaty.<\/p>\n

Keeping fishers and ships safe<\/h3>\n

Once in force, States Parties must incorporate the provisions of the 2012 Cape Town Agreement into national law and enforce it as they would any other legislation.<\/p>\n

Flag States must ensure that vessels under their registries comply, while Port States have the right to inspect foreign vessels in their ports to verify compliance with the 2012 Cape Town Agreement requirements. These cover the design, construction, equipment and inspection of fishing vessels, as well as vessel stability and seaworthiness, machinery and electrical installations, life-saving appliances, fire protection and communications equipment.<\/p>\n

Beyond safety, the Agreement is also expected to support the reduction of marine plastic pollution from abandoned or lost fishing gear.<\/p>\n

Four pillars for fishing vessel safety<\/h3>\n

The 2012 Cape Town Agreement is the culmination of decades of work by IMO, building on earlier international instruments that did not enter into force, including the\u00a01977 Torremolinos International Convention<\/a>\u00a0for the Safety of Fishing Vessels and the\u00a01993 Torremolinos Protocol<\/a>. The treaty is now set to enter into force in 2027, nearly 15 years after it was adopted in 2012.<\/p>\n

The Cape Town Agreement represents the fourth pillar in global fishing vessel safety, alongside the following key instruments, all of which are in force:<\/p>\n