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{{Use South African English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox treaty
| name = Cape Town Treaty
| long_name = Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment
| image =CapeTownTreatyParties.svg
| image_width =250
| caption ={{legend|purple|Parties}} {{legend|yellow|Signatories}} {{legend|red|Parties, also covered by EU's accession}} {{legend|orange|Signatories, also covered by EU's accession}}{{legend|blue|covered by EU's accession}}
| type =
| date_drafted =
| date_signed = 16 November 2001
| location_signed =[[Cape Town]], [[South Africa]]
| date_sealed =
| date_effective = 1 March 2006
| condition_effective = 3 ratifications
| date_expiration =
| signatories =
| parties = 72
| citations = 2307 U.N.T.S. 285
| ratifiers =
| depositor = [[International Institute for the Unification of Private Law]]
| language =
| languages = English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish
| wikisource =Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment
}}

The '''Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment''', or '''Cape Town Treaty''' is an international [[treaty]] intended to standardize transactions involving movable property. The treaty creates [[international standard]]s for registration of contracts of sale (including dedicated registration agencies), [[security interest]]s ([[lien]]s), [[finance lease|leases]] and conditional sales contracts, and various legal remedies for [[default (finance)|default]] in financing agreements, including repossession and the effect of particular states' [[bankruptcy]] laws.

Three protocols to the convention are specific to three types of movable equipment: Aircraft Equipment (aircraft and aircraft engines; signed in 2001), railway equipment (signed in 2007) and space assets (signed in 2012).

The treaty resulted from a diplomatic conference held in [[Cape Town]], [[South Africa]] in 2001. The conference was attended by 68 countries and 14 international organizations. 53 countries signed the resolution proposing the treaty
.<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Diplomatic Conference to adopt a Mobile Equipment Convention and an Aircraft Protocol, Cape Town, South Africa, 29 October - 16 November 2001
| work =
| publisher = International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)
| date =
| url = http://www.unidroit.org/english/conventions/mobile-equipment/conference2001/main.htm
| doi =
| accessdate = 2006-11-22 }}
</ref> The treaty came into force on 1 April 2004
,<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = The Cape Town Treaty and Markup
| work =
| publisher = U.S. House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Aviation
| date = 2004-04-29
| url = http://www.house.gov/transportation/aviation/04-29-04/04-29-04memo.html
| doi =
| accessdate = 2006-11-22 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20061120100743/http://www.house.gov/transportation/aviation/04-29-04/04-29-04memo.html  |archivedate = 2006-11-20}}</ref> and has been ratified by 57 parties. The Aircraft Protocol (which applies specifically to aircraft and aircraft engines ) took effect on 1 March 2006 when it was ratified by 8 countries: [[Ethiopia]], [[Ireland]], [[Malaysia]], [[Nigeria]], [[Oman]], [[Panama]], [[Pakistan]], and the [[United States]].

==Signatures and ratifications==
As of July 2015, the convention has been ratified by 64 states as well as the [[European Union]]. The railway and the space protocol have been ratified by respectively one country only (Luxembourg) and no countries and thus have not taken effect. An overview of the status of the treaty and protocols is shown below:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Instrument !! Signature !! Location !! Entry into force !! Signatures !! Ratifications (required for entry into force)
|-
| Convention || {{dts|16 November 2001}} || Cape Town || {{dts|1 March 2006}} || 28 || 72 (3)
|-
| Aircraft Protocol || {{dts|16 November 2001}} || Cape Town ||{{dts|1 March 2006}} ||23 || 65 (8)
|-
| Railway Rolling Stock Protocol || {{dts|23 February 2007}} || Luxembourg || - || 7 || 2 (4)
|-
| Space Assets Protocol || {{dts|9 March 2012}} ||Berlin || - || 4 || 0 (10)
|}
In the United States, the treaty was approved by the U.S. Senate in 2003, and implemented by the full Congress in the Cape Town Treaty Implementation Act of 2004.

===European Union===
The European Union joined the convention and the Aircraft Protocol as a [[Regional Economic Integration Organization]]. On the subject of the convention, both the [[Member states of the European Union]] and the Union itself have competence: e.g. while the [[substantive law]] regarding [[insolvency]] is regulated by the states, the [[conflict of law]]-rules (which county has jurisdiction etc.) is regulated by the European Union. According to the Government of the Netherlands the acceptance of the European Union in a member state which itself is not a party to the convention has no practical consequences.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/kst-32227-A.html|title=32 227 (R 1904) Verdrag inzake internationale zakelijke rechten op mobiel materieel en Protocol bij het Verdrag inzake internationale zakelijke rechten op mobiel materieel betreffende voor luchtvaartmaterieel specifieke aangelegenheden; Kaapstad, 16 november 2001|language=Dutch|date=27 November 2009|accessdate=13 March 2012|work=Government of the Netherlands}}</ref> The European union accepted the Railway protocol in December 2014.

==Protocols==
[[File:AircraftProtocol.svg|thumb|right|350px|Aircraft Protocol {{legend|purple|Parties}} {{legend|yellow|Signed}} {{legend|red|Parties, also covered by EU's accession}} {{legend|orange|Signatories, also covered by EU's accession}}{{legend|blue|covered by EU's accession}}]]

===Aircraft Protocol===
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2012}}
The ''aircraft Protocol'' (officially: ''Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on matters specific to aircraft equipment'') was signed immediately with the treaty and the only protocol currently entered into force. It applies to aircraft which can carry at least eight people or 2750 kilograms of cargo, aircraft engines with thrust exceeding {{convert|1750|lbf|N}} or {{convert|550|hp}}, and helicopters carrying five or more passengers. The [[International Registry of Mobile Assets]] established to record international property interests in the aircraft equipment covered by the treaty is located in Ireland. Mediation cases for leasing disputes are to be heard in the [[High Court of Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2008/05/11/story32799.asp |title=Aircraft leasing disputes to be heard in Dublin |work=Sunday Business Post |date=11 May 2008 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> As of April 2016, the protocol has 65 contracting parties, which includes 64 states and the [[European Union]].
{{wikisource|Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on matters specific to aircraft equipment}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! State !! Date of Ratification/ Accession !! Comments
|-
| {{country|Afghanistan}} || {{dts|25 July 2006}} ||
|-
| {{country|Albania}} || {{dts|30 October 2007}} ||
|-
| {{country|Angola}} || {{dts|30 April 2006}} ||
|-
| {{country|Australia}} || {{dts|26 May 2015}} ||
|-
| {{country|Bahrain}} || {{dts|27 November 2012}} ||
|-
| {{country|Bangladesh}} || {{dts|15 December 2008}} ||
|-
| {{country|Belarus}} || {{dts|27 September 2011}} ||
|-
| {{country|Bhutan}} || {{dts|4 July 2014}} ||
|-
| {{country|Brazil}} || {{dts|30 November 2011}} ||
|-
| {{country|Cameroon}} || {{dts|14 April 2011}} ||
|-
| {{country|Canada}} || {{dts|21 December 2012}} || New Brunswick: effective 1 July 2016 Yukon: effective 1 October 2014 others: 1 April 2013
|-
| {{country|Cape Verde}} || {{dts|26 September 2007}} ||
|-
| {{country|China}} || {{dts|3 February 2009}} || Excluding {{country|Hong Kong}} {{country|Macao}}
|-
| {{country|Colombia}} || {{dts|19 February 2007}} ||
|-
| {{country|Congo}} || {{dts|13 March 2013}} ||
|-
| {{country|Côte d'Ivoire}} || {{dts|1 March 2016}} ||
|-
| {{country|Cuba}} || {{dts|28 January 2009}} ||
|-
| {{country|Denmark}} || {{dts|26 October 2015}} ||
|-
| {{country|Egypt}} || {{dts|10 December 2014}} ||
|-
| {{country|Ethiopia}} || {{dts|21 November 2003}} ||
|-
| {{country|European Union}} || {{dts|28 April 2009}} || Only as far as it has competency over subjects of the convention/protocol. Not applicable to Denmark
|-
| {{country|Fiji}} || {{dts|30 May 2012}} ||
|-
| {{IND}} || {{dts|31 March 2008}} ||
|-
| {{IDN}} || {{dts|16 March 2007}} ||
|-
| {{IRL}} || {{dts|23 August 2005}} ||
|-
| {{country|Jordan}} || {{dts|31 August 2010}} ||
|-
| {{country|Kazakhstan}} || {{dts|1 June 2011}} ||
|-
| {{country|Kenya}} || {{dts|13 October 2006}} ||
|-
| {{country|Kuwait}} || {{dts|31 October 2013}} ||
|-
| {{country|Latvia}} || {{dts|8 February 2011}} ||
|-
| {{LUX}} || {{dts|27 June 2008}} ||
|-
| {{country|Madagascar}} || {{dts|15 December 2008}} ||
|-
| {{country|Malawi}} || {{dts|10 April 2013}} ||
|-
| {{country|Malaysia}} || {{dts|16 January 2014}} ||
|-
| {{country|Malta}} || {{dts|1 October 2010}} ||
|-
| {{MEX}} || {{dts|31 July 2007}} ||
|-
| {{country|Mongolia}} || {{dts|19 October 2006}} ||
|-
| {{country|Mozambique}} || {{dts|18 July 2013}} ||
|-
| {{country|Myanmar}} || {{dts|3 December 2012}} ||
|-
| {{country|Kingdom of the Netherlands}} || {{dts|17 May 2007}} ||Not [[European Netherlands]] Only for {{ARU}} {{CUW}} {{SXM}} {{BES}}
|-
| {{NZL}} || {{dts|20 July 2010}} ||
|-
| {{country|Nigeria}} || {{dts|16 December 2003}} ||
|-
| {{NOR}} || {{dts|20 December 2010}} ||
|-
| {{country|Oman}} || {{dts|21 March 2005}} ||
|-
| {{PAK}} || {{dts|22 January 2004}} ||
|-
| {{PAN}} || {{dts|28 July 2003}} ||
|-
| {{RUS}} || {{dts|25 May 2011}} ||
|-
| {{country|Rwanda}} || {{dts|28 January 2010}} ||
|-
| {{country|San Marino}} || {{dts|9 September 2014}} ||
|-
| {{country|Saudi Arabia}} || {{dts|27 June 2008}} ||
|-
| {{country|Senegal}} || {{dts|9 January 2006}} ||
|-
| {{country|Sierra Leone}} || {{dts|26 July 2016}} ||
|-
| {{country|Singapore}} || {{dts|28 January 2009}} ||
|-
| {{country|South Africa}} || {{dts|18 January 2007}} ||
|-
| {{country|Spain}} || {{dts|27 November 2015}} ||
|-
| {{country|Sweden}} || {{dts|30 December 2015}} ||
|-
| {{country|Tajikistan}} || {{dts|31 May 2011}} ||
|-
| {{country|Togo}} || {{dts|1 December 2011}} ||
|-
| {{TUR}} || {{dts|23 August 2011}} ||
|-
| {{country|Ukraine}} || {{dts|31 July 2012}} ||
|-
| {{UAE}} || {{dts|29 April 2008}} ||
|-
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} || {{dts|27 July 2015}} ||Extended to Cayman Islands, Gibraltar and Guernsey
|-
| {{USA}} || {{dts|28 October 2004}} ||
|-
| {{country|Tanzania}} || {{dts|30 January 2009}} ||
|-
| {{country|Vietnam}} || {{dts|17 September 2014}} ||
|}

===Railway Rolling Stock===
{{wikisource|Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters Specific to Railway Rolling Stock}}
The ''Railway Rolling Stock Protocol'', or ''Luxembourg Railway Protocol'', officially the ''Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters Specific to Railway Rolling Stock'' was adopted on 23 February 2007 and applies to railway rolling stock (broadly defined as "vehicles movable on a fixed railway track or directly on, above or below a guideway". The protocol establishes a registry located in Luxembourg and requires 4 countries for entry into force. Currently the protocol has been signed by Gabon, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the UK as well as the European Union, while it has been ratified by the European Union and 1 state: Luxembourg.

===Space Assets===
The ''Space Assets protocol'', or ''Berlin Space Protocol''<ref name=Bundesamt>{{cite press release|title=Pressemitteilung: Berliner Weltraumprotokoll verabschiedet |url=http://www.bmj.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2012/20120309_Berliner_Weltraumprotokoll_verabschiedet.html |date=9 March 2012 |accessdate=11 March 2012 |work=[[Federal Ministry of Justice (Germany)|Ministry of Justice (Germany)]] |language=German |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310043035/http://www.bmj.de:80/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2012/20120309_Berliner_Weltraumprotokoll_verabschiedet.html |archivedate=10 March 2012 |df=dmy }}</ref> (officially ''Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters specific to Space Assets'') was concluded on 9 March 2012 and requires 10 ratifications before entry into force (in the original protocol this number was 4).<ref>{{cite web|archivedate=13 March 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/668qu1AnO?url=http://www.unidroit.org/english/workprogramme/study072/spaceprotocol/conference/documents/dcme-sp-03-e.pdf |title=text of the draft Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters specific to Space Assets |url=http://www.unidroit.org/english/workprogramme/study072/spaceprotocol/conference/documents/dcme-sp-03-e.pdf |accessdate=13 March 2012 |date=June 2011 |work=UNIDROIT |deadurl=yes |df=dmy }}</ref> The protocol applies to objects functioning in space like satellites or satellite parts.<ref>{{cite web|archivedate=13 March 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/668rV9R7p?url=http://www.unidroit.org/english/workprogramme/study072/spaceprotocol/conference/documents/dcme-sp-05-e.pdf |title=Draft Final Provisions capable of embodiment in the draft Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters specific to Space Assets, with Explanatory Notes |url=http://www.unidroit.org/english/workprogramme/study072/spaceprotocol/conference/documents/dcme-sp-05-e.pdf |accessdate=13 March 2012 |date=June 2011 |work=UNIDROIT |deadurl=yes |df=dmy }}</ref> The convention was strongly opposed by the satellite industry, claiming that it would lead to increased bureaucracy and "make the financing of new satellite projects more difficult and expensive".<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=36355|work=Satellite Industry Association|publisher=SpaceRef.com|title=Global Satellite Industry denounces UNIDROIT Protocol|date=9 March 2012|accessdate=11 March 2012}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{wikisource|Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment}}
* [http://www.unidroit.org/english/conventions/mobile-equipment/main.htm treaty and protocols at the Depositary website]
*Treaty [http://www.unidroit.org/english/conventions/mobile-equipment/mobile-equipment.pdf text] and [http://www.unidroit.org/english/implement/i-2001-convention.pdf ratifications]
*Aircraft protocol [http://www.unidroit.org/english/conventions/mobile-equipment/aircraftprotocol.pdf text] and [http://www.unidroit.org/english/implement/i-2001-aircraftprotocol.pdf ratifications]
*Railway rolling stock protocol [http://www.unidroit.org/english/conventions/mobile-equipment/railprotocol.pdf text] and [http://www.unidroit.org/english/implement/i-2007-railprotocol.pdf ratifications]
*Space Assets protocol [http://www.unidroit.org/english/conventions/mobile-equipment/spaceassets-protocol-e.pdf text], [http://www.webcitation.org/668rV9R7p?url=http://www.unidroit.org/english/workprogramme/study072/spaceprotocol/conference/documents/dcme-sp-05-e.pdf draft final provisions] and [http://www.unidroit.org/english/implement/i-2012-spaceassets.pdf signatures]
;Aircraft Protocol
*[https://www.internationalregistry.aero/irWeb/Controller.jpf International Registry of Mobile Assets]
*[http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_certification/aircraft_registry/cape_town_treaty/ Federal Aviation Administration - The Cape Town Treaty]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110107084613/http://www.nortonrose.com:80/knowledge/publications/2005/pub11091.aspx?page=4589&lang=en-gb Benefits for airlines under the Cape Town Convention]

{{Commercial air travel|state=collapsed}}



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