The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea,

Composed as above,

After deliberation,

Having regard to article 27 of the Statute of the Tribunal,

Having regard to paragraph 4 of article 287 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (hereinafter “the Convention”),

Having regard to the Notification submitted by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 22 December 1997 instituting proceedings in accordance with Annex VII of the Convention in respect of the M/V "Saiga",