As the first legally-binding international agreement aimed at placing controls on the global trade of conventional weapons, the Arms Trade Treaty is the culmination of years of negotiation. With broad provisions pertaining to the regulation of transfer of certain weapons, weapons systems, and ammunition, state parties have significant discretion to determine how their international obligations will be met. At the same time, the current state of international maritime security law places limitations on a coastal state’s competency to regulate vessels carrying weapons as cargo. In order to ameliorate the scourge posed by the unregulated movement of weapons effectively, and to give full force and effect to the treaty, nations will need to examine their authorities, capabilities, capacities, and partnerships closely.