DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONVENTION AND CODE

The essential difference between a convention and a code is that the former becomes mandatory for
Contracting Parties once it enters into force (which happens when a specified number of States has
accepted it). Acceptance involves making the provisions of the convention part of national law (the
aim being to standardize national maritime laws as widely as possible). A code, on the other hand, is
normally recommendatory unless it is made mandatory under the provisions of a Convention. T

Conventions
International conventions are agreed when a number of countries, which are members
of the IMO, feel that there is a need for a convention. Such countries meet together,
usually at the invitation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and discuss
about various proposals and finally come to an agreement which is recorded in the form
of a Final Act of Conference.
Regulations are generally technical provisions of the convention.
Protocol
When a major amendment is to be incorporated on regulations of the convention, a
protocol is called among the countries, who are signatory of the original convention
when it was signed and approved. E.g. for MARPOL 73/78, the year1973 in which the
act was passed was the convention and in1978 what was passed was the protocol.
Amendments
The regulations enforced by the conventions are required to be amended frequently
from time to time to keep pace with the rapid evolving technology in the shipping world.