The current version of the SOLAS Convention is the 1974 SOLAS Convention, commonly referred to as SOLAS 1974, which entered into force on 25 May 1980. Since its implementation, it has become the primary international treaty governing maritime safety. As of March 2016, the convention had 162 Contracting States, representing approximately 99% of the world’s merchant fleet in terms of gross tonnage, making it one of the most widely accepted international maritime agreements.

The origins of SOLAS date back to 1914, when the first convention was adopted following the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. The disaster highlighted the urgent need for internationally accepted safety standards for passenger and cargo ships. Revised versions of the convention were subsequently adopted in 1929, 1948, and 1960 to address technological advancements and changes in the shipping industry.

The 1960 SOLAS Convention represented a significant milestone because it was the first major international effort to continuously update maritime safety standards in response to rapid technological developments. However, amendments to the convention often required lengthy ratification procedures before becoming effective. To overcome this issue, the 1974 SOLAS Convention introduced a simplified amendment procedure that allowed safety regulations to be updated more efficiently.

The SOLAS Convention consists of multiple chapters covering different aspects of maritime safety. Over time, Chapters II and XI were divided into two separate chapters each, and two additional chapters were introduced to address new safety challenges and technological developments. Together, these chapters define the responsibilities of shipowners, operators, and crew members for ensuring compliance with international safety standards.