National Maritime Legislation

Merchant Marine Code (Maritime Code)

Loi portant Code de la marine marchande

Principal Togolese merchant-shipping legislation. Covers the legal framework for ships and navigation, nationality and registration, ownership, mortgages, safety and seaworthiness, tonnage, seafarers and maritime labour, marine pollution, maritime incidents, administrative powers, enforcement and related maritime matters. The Code expressly incorporates international-convention requirements in several areas, including tonnage and MARPOL-related obligations.

Law on maritime areas under national jurisdiction

Loi relative aux espaces maritimes sous juridiction nationale

Defines Togo's maritime zones and national jurisdiction in accordance with UNCLOS, including the territorial sea, contiguous zone and associated State jurisdiction and enforcement powers.

Law on the fight against piracy and other unlawful acts, and the exercise by the State of its law-enforcement powers at sea

Loi relative à la lutte contre la piraterie, les autres actes illicites et l'exercice par l'État de ses pouvoirs de police en mer

Establishes the national legal framework for suppression of piracy and other unlawful acts at sea and provides powers for State authorities to exercise maritime policing, control and enforcement.

Decree on the State's action at sea

Décret relatif à l'action de l'État en mer

Establishes and organizes the national framework for coordinated State action at sea and the exercise of governmental maritime functions.

Decree on the State's missions at sea

Décret relatif aux missions de l'État en mer

Defines the principal missions performed by the State at sea and supports the national maritime governance and enforcement structure established under the Action de l'État en mer framework.

Decree establishing the National Maritime Security Committee, its powers and organization

Décret portant création, attributions et organisation du Comité national de sûreté maritime

Establishes the National Maritime Security Committee and its organization and responsibilities. The decree expressly operates within the SOLAS/ISPS maritime-security framework.

Decree on the identification of port users, traceability of goods and vehicles, and security control of ships and other floating craft in waters under Togolese jurisdiction

Décret portant identification des usagers des ports, traçabilité des marchandises et véhicules et contrôle de sûreté des navires et autres engins flottants dans les eaux sous juridiction togolaise

Port and maritime-security control, identification of port users, cargo and vehicle traceability, and security controls applicable to ships and other floating units in Togolese waters.

Order establishing an ad hoc maritime safety investigation committee

Arrêté portant création d'un comité ad hoc d'enquête de sécurité maritime

Establishes a maritime safety investigation committee, including technical representation for maritime casualty/safety investigations.

National law authorizing Togo's accession/ratification of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974

National law authorizing Togo's accession/ratification of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974

National legal basis for Togo's SOLAS treaty participation. Later Togolese legislation expressly identifies SOLAS as ratified under Loi n° 89-005 and refers to subsequent amendments.

Law authorizing Togo's accession to the 1988 Protocol to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974

Loi autorisant l'adhésion du Togo au Protocole de 1988 à la Convention internationale de 1974 pour la sauvegarde de la vie humaine en mer (SOLAS)

Authorizes Togo's accession to the 1988 SOLAS Protocol, including the harmonized survey and certification framework associated with the Protocol.

National law ratifying the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78)

National law ratifying the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78)

National treaty basis for implementation of MARPOL. It is expressly cited in current Togolese maritime-environment legislation.

Framework Environmental Law

Loi portant loi-cadre sur l'environnement

General national environmental framework, including pollution prevention, protection of natural resources and environmental management. It forms part of the national legal basis supporting marine environmental protection.

Decree publishing the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention)

Décret portant publication de la Convention internationale sur le contrôle des systèmes antisalissure nuisibles sur les navires (AFS Convention)

Publishes the AFS Convention nationally following Togo's accession; relevant to prohibition/control of harmful anti-fouling systems on Togolese ships. Togo deposited its accession instrument with IMO on 6 February 2017.

Decree on the rules, conditions and procedures for the transport of dangerous goods by sea, and their storage and management in ports and maritime areas under Togolese jurisdiction

Décret relatif aux règles, conditions et modalités de transport des marchandises dangereuses par mer, ainsi que leur stockage et gestion dans les ports et espaces maritimes sous juridiction togolaise

Implements the national framework for transport, handling, storage and management of dangerous goods by sea and within Togolese ports/waters, closely connected with SOLAS and the IMDG Code.

Interministerial Order setting the procedures for the collection, transport and treatment of waste from the normal operation of ships in ports

Arrêté fixant les modalités de collecte, de transport et de traitement des déchets provenant de l'exploitation normale des navires dans les ports

Regulates collection, transportation and treatment of ship-generated wastes and cargo residues and the use of port reception facilities; applies to Togolese and foreign vessels within its defined scope.

Interministerial Order on the establishment, missions, organization and functioning of the permanent inspection commission for dangerous-goods storage sites

Arrêté relatif à la mise en place, aux missions, à l'organisation et au fonctionnement de la commission permanente d'inspection des sites de stockage des marchandises dangereuses

Establishes the permanent inspection and control commission for dangerous-goods storage sites and expressly assigns functions concerning application of the IMDG Code and inspection/control of hazardous cargo facilities.

National law ratifying the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)

National law ratifying the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)

National treaty basis for Togo's STCW obligations concerning training, certification and watchkeeping of seafarers.

Law authorizing Togo's accession to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)

Loi autorisant l'adhésion du Togo à la Convention du travail maritime, 2006 (MLC, 2006)

Authorizes Togo's accession to MLC, 2006, covering seafarers' living and working conditions, employment, welfare, medical care, accommodation, certification and Flag-State labour responsibilities.

Law on the planning, protection and development of the coastline

Loi relative à l'aménagement, à la protection et à la mise en valeur du littoral

National legal framework for coastal-zone planning, protection and sustainable use, relevant to wider coastal and marine environmental governance.

Decree establishing the Single Window for Formalities and Issuance of International Trade Documents (GUFORD), its powers and functioning

Décret portant création, attributions et fonctionnement du Guichet Unique des Formalités et de délivrance des Documents du commerce international (GUFORD)

Establishes Togo's national Maritime Single Window / GUFORD framework for electronic submission, processing and exchange of ship-arrival, stay and departure formalities. The decree expressly references the IMO FAL Convention and FAL.14(46).