Special Trade Passenger Ships Agreement, 1971
Adoption: 6 October 1971
Entry into force: 2 January 1974

The carriage of large numbers of unberthed passengers in special trades such as the pilgrim trade in a restricted sea area around the Indian Ocean ? is of particular interest to countries in that area. It was regulated by the Simla Rules of 1931, which became outdated following the adoption of the 1948 and 1960 SOLAS Conventions.

As a result, IMO convened an International Conference in 1971 to consider safety requirements for special trade passenger ships in relation to the 1960 SOLAS Convention.

Included in an Annex to the Agreement are Special Trade Passenger Ships Rules, 1971, which provide modifications to the regulations of Chapters II and III of the 1960 SOLAS Convention.

Protocol on Space Requirements for Special Trade Passenger Ships, 1973
Adoption: 13 July 1973
Entry into force: 2 June 1977

Following the International Conference on Special Trade Passenger Ships, 1971, IMO, in co?operation with other Organizations, particularly the World Health Organisation (WHO), developed technical rules covering the safety aspects of carrying passengers on board such ships.

The Protocol on Space Requirements for Special Trade Passenger Ships was adopted in 1973. Annexed to this Protocol are technical rules covering the safety aspect of the carriage of passengers in special trade passenger ships.

The space requirements for special trade passenger ships are complementary to the 1971 Special Trade Passenger Ships Agreement.