Turkmenistan has officially acceded to the 1988 Protocol to the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966. The corresponding law was published in the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper on Friday. The International Convention sets out requirements for the freeboard (the distance between the waterline and the upper deck level) of ships, including compartmentalization and damage stability calculations. It applies to all seagoing vessels on international voyages, except for warships, vessels under 150 gross tons, fishing vessels, and private yachts. Under the Protocol, signatory states are required to submit new national legislation related to international load line standards to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretariat. In 2003, amendments were adopted to Annex B of the 1988 Protocol, introducing significant updates regarding the structural strength and intact stability of ships. These amendments also clarified requirements for various ship components, such as superstructures, bulkheads, doors, hatches, openings in engine rooms, freeboard decks, portholes, crew protection, and safe access for personnel.