A landmark international treaty designed to bring greater certainty and security to the global shipping market has officially entered into force. From 17 February 2026, the Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships establishes a harmonised legal framework for recognising judicial ship sales across borders, marking a significant step towards safer and more efficient maritime transactions.
Developed by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022, the Convention tackles a long-standing concern in the shipping industry. Until now, buyers and financiers have faced the risk that former creditors could pursue claims against vessels even after a court-ordered sale had taken place, sometimes leading to arrests in foreign ports and costly legal disputes.
Under the new regime, a judicial sale conducted in one State Party must be recognised by all other Parties. Crucially, purchasers are granted a “clean title”, ensuring that ships are transferred free from prior debts and maritime claims. This protection is expected to shield new owners from unexpected legal challenges abroad and strengthen confidence in cross-border transactions.
The Convention also introduces a transparent documentation process. States are required to issue a notice of judicial sale and, where appropriate, a certificate confirming the sale. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will serve as the repository for these documents, publishing them through a dedicated module on its GISIS platform. This centralised system will provide stakeholders with public access to reliable, standardised information, further reducing uncertainty.
Previously, judicial sales were governed solely by national laws, which varied considerably and often created complexity for international buyers. By modernising and aligning these rules, the Convention is expected to lower transactional risk, support stronger vessel values and facilitate smoother global trade flows.
The treaty applies when a judicial sale takes place in a State Party and the ship is physically located within that state at the time of sale. It has now entered into force for Barbados, El Salvador and Spain, marking the first wave of implementation.
Momentum behind the Convention has been notable. To date, 33 states and the European Union have signed up, including major maritime nations such as China, Belgium, Italy, Panama, Singapore, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia. As more countries move towards ratification, the industry is watching closely, anticipating a new era of legal clarity in the international sale of ships.