IMO mandates info swap between ships, ports

IMO mandates info swap between ships, ports
RAFFY AYENG April 10, 2019 https://www.manilatimes.net/imo-mandates-info-swap-between-ships-ports/5...

THE International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a requirement for its contracting country to introduce electronic information exchange between ships and ports starting April 8.

The new requirement aims to make cross-border trade simpler and the logistics chain more efficient for the more than 10 billion tons of goods traded by sea annually across the globe.

In a statement, the IMO said the requirement, mandatory under IMO’s Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention), was part of a package of amendments under the revised Annex to the FAL Convention, adopted in 2016.

The main objective of the IMO-FAL Convention is to achieve the most efficient maritime transport as possible, looking for smooth transit in ports of ships, cargo and passengers.
Maritime cadets from Crystal E College in Bohol undertaking simulator training . PHOTO BY SYLVAN LIECHTE

The FAL Convention, which has 121 Contracting Governments including the Philippines’ contains standards and recommended practices and rules for simplifying formalities, documentary requirements and procedures on ships’ arrival, stay and departure.

“The new FAL Convention requirement for all Public Authorities to establish systems for the electronic exchange of information related to maritime transport marks a significant move in the maritime industry and ports towards a digital maritime world, reducing the administrative burden and increasing the efficiency of maritime trade and transport,” IMO Secretary-Ge­neral Kitack Lim said.

The statement furthered that the Facilitation Convention encourages use of a “single window” for data, to enable all the information required by public authorities in connection with the arrival, stay and departure of ships, persons and cargo, to be submitted via a single portal, without duplication.
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“The requirement for electronic data exchange comes into effect as IMO’s Facilitation Committee meets for its 43rd session (April 8-12). Alongside other agenda items, the Committee will continue its ongoing work on harmonization and standardization of electronic messages,” the statement further reads.

Phase one of the review of the IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic business, including the data elements of the FAL Convention, is expected to be completed and the revised Guidelines for setting up a single window system in maritime transport are set to be approved.

It added that the Committee would also receive an update on a successful IMO maritime single window project, implemented in Antigua and Barbuda, with Norway’s support. The source code developed for the system established in Antigua and Barbuda will be made available to other interested Member States. A presentation on the system will be made during the Facilitation Committee.