1996 Protocol to the 1976 Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 12 March 2004 No.03-021 The 1996 Protocol to the 1976 Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (96LLMC) will enter into force on 13 May 2004. This is because the tenth state, 'Malta', has acceded to the 96LLMC. Malta's accession on 13 February 2004 triggered the entry into force of the protocol 90 days after that date. Countries in which the 96 LLMC will enter into force on 13th May 2004 are Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Malta, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Tonga and the United Kingdom. The purpose of this protocol is to substantially increase the amount of compensation payable (by about 200% to 240%) and to introduce a "tacit acceptance" procedure for the purpose of quickly giving effect to any subsequent amendments to the protocol. This means that the amount of limitation of liability under the 96LLMC can be amended as necessary and an amendment can be adopted by the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) without the contracting states having to ratify, accept, approve or accede to the change. Under the 76LLMC, similar amendments can only be made in limited cases. The current amounts of limitation of liability under the Conventions are as follows;- 96LLMC 76LLMC 1) Liability for claims for loss of life or personal injury 1) Liability for claims for loss of life or personal injury a)Ships not exceeding 2,000 G/T: a)Ships not exceeding 500 G/T: 2 million SDR 333,000 SDR b)For larger ships, the following additional amounts are used in calculating the limitation amount: b)For larger ships, the following additional amounts are used in calculating the limitation amount: *For each ton from 2,001 to 30,000 tons: *For each ton from 501 to 3,000 tons: 800 SDR 500 SDR *For each ton from 30,001 to 70,000 tons: *For each to from 3,001 to 30,000 tons: 600 SDR 333 SDR *For each ton in excess of 70,000 tons: *For each ton from 30,0