Maritime Regulations
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea is the most important treaty governing maritime safety, including the requirement for AIS on commercial vessels.
SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) is an international maritime treaty that sets minimum safety standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of merchant ships. It is widely regarded as the most important of all international treaties concerning the safety of merchant ships.
The convention is maintained by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping. SOLAS requires flag states to ensure that ships under their flag comply with minimum safety standards in construction, equipment, and operation.
The current version of SOLAS was adopted in 1974 and entered into force in 1980. It has been updated many times since then, with amendments addressing new technologies, emerging risks, and lessons learned from maritime incidents.
SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19.2.4 mandates AIS carriage for international shipping.
SOLAS AIS requirements mean that over 830,000 vessels worldwide are legally required to broadcast their position and identification data. This creates a comprehensive global vessel tracking network that powers maritime intelligence platforms like Data Docked. Learn more about how AIS data works.
The convention is organized into chapters covering different aspects of ship safety.
Defines which ships the convention applies to and establishes survey and certification requirements.
Subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations. Structural requirements for ship safety.
Fire safety measures including detection, containment, and firefighting requirements.
Lifeboats, life rafts, life jackets, and emergency equipment requirements.
GMDSS requirements ensuring ships can send and receive distress alerts and safety information.
Navigation equipment requirements including AIS, voyage planning, and reporting systems.
Requirements for safe stowage and securing of different cargo types.
Carriage requirements for dangerous goods in packaged form and in bulk.
The International Safety Management Code for safe operation and pollution prevention.
Ship identification number scheme, continuous synopsis record, and port state control.
The ISPS Code for maritime security measures on ships and in port facilities.
From the Titanic disaster to modern maritime safety standards.
Adopted in response to the Titanic disaster (1912). Established basic safety standards for passenger ships.
Expanded safety requirements and improved standards based on lessons from maritime incidents.
Post-WWII update incorporating wartime safety innovations and technological advances.
First convention adopted under IMO (then IMCO). Modernized standards for the nuclear age.
The version in force today. Introduced a tacit acceptance procedure allowing easier updates.
Post-9/11 security amendments added the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
Mandatory AIS carriage extended to all ships of 300 GT and above on international voyages.
Track the 830,000+ vessels required to broadcast AIS under SOLAS regulations. Start with a free trial.