1921 treaty which recognised that a land-locked state could register ships and sail them on the sea using its own flag
This 1921 treaty established in international law that landlocked states may register and fly their own flag on maritime vessels.
Key Facts
- Treaty year
- 1921
- Ratifications (as of 2013)
- Over 50 states
- Landlocked states with merchant fleets
- 15 noted, including Armenia, Bolivia, Mongolia
- UDWS max tonnage
- Up to 10,000 tons tons
- States with no river/sea port access
- Ethiopia and Mongolia
By the Numbers
Cause → Event → Consequence
Prior to the declaration, landlocked states lacked clear legal recognition as maritime flag states, preventing them from registering ships under their own flag and participating fully in international maritime trade on equal footing with coastal nations.
In 1921, the multilateral Declaration Recognising the Right to a Flag of States having no Sea-coast was adopted, formally establishing in international law that any landlocked state possesses the right to register ships and sail them on the sea under its own national flag.
By 2013, more than 50 states had ratified the declaration, and international law now universally recognises this right. Landlocked nations such as Bolivia, Mongolia, and Luxembourg operate merchant vessel fleets, while Caspian states use waterway systems to access open seas.
Political Outcome
Landlocked states gained internationally recognised legal right to register ships and use their own flag in maritime navigation.
Landlocked states had no recognised right to maritime flag registration under international law.
All states, regardless of coastline, legally recognised as potential maritime flag states.