Twentieth signature on Rotterdam Rules

Sixteen States signed the Convention on the opening day, making it the most successful of the conventions developed by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) so far in terms of signatures obtained on opening day

The States signing the Convention upon its opening for signature in Rotterdam were: Congo, Denmark, France, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Senegal, Spain, Switzerland, Togo and the USA.

Joining the initial 16 States in signing the Convention since were Armenia, Cameroon, Madagascar and Niger. The 20 signatories represent a mix of developing and developed countries, including several major trading and maritime nations. Together, the 20 represent over 25% of current world trade volume according to the UN 2008 International Merchandise Trade Statistics Yearbook. The Convention needs 20 ratifications to enter into force.