• The guidelines were the result of the work of a
large number of Member States and observers;
• It was of paramount importance that the
Convention be applied uniformly and the guidelines
could assist this process;
• The guidelines were not binding, but were merely
intended to facilitate the implementation and entry
into force of the 2010 HNS Protocol, particularly
States’ submissions of contributing cargo to
the Secretary-General of IMO, on ratification, or
accession to the HNS Protocol;
• The proposed solutions in the guidelines should
not exclude the use by implementing States of
other options which were also provided for in the
HNS Protocol