The International Convention on Arrest of Ships 1999 was unanimously adopted at the conclusion of the Diplomatic Conference on Arrest of Ships on 12 March 1999.

Under the auspices of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Diplomatic Conference was held from 1 to 12 March 1999 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

In his final remarks, the President of the Conference, Mr. Zhu Zengjie (China), said that the Convention provides a good compromise between different legal systems and takes account of recent developments in the field of maritime law.

The Convention is to be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations and will be opened for signature by any State at the United Nations Headquarters New York, from 1 September 1999 to 31 August 2000. The Convention is to enter into force six months following the date on which 10 States have expressed their consent to be bound by it.