The IMO Facilitation Committee (FAL) discusses the facilitation of international maritime traffic, including the arrival, stay, and departure of ships, persons, and cargo from ports.
Outcomes From FAL
- Maritime Single Window (MSW): The FAL Committee continued discussions on the use of Maritime Single Window (MSW), which became mandatory for Contracting Governments to the FAL Convention on 1 January 2024. In addition, the Committee considered a proposed revision of FAL.5/Circ.46 on the Guidelines on authentication, integrity, and confidentiality of information exchanges via maritime single windows and related services.
- Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS): The FAL Committee continued discussions around regulating commercial vessels that can operate independently of human interaction (MASS) and approved the report of the MSC-LEG-FAL Joint Working Group on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS-JWG). In addition, the road map on addressing MASS issues related to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention) was updated.
- Development of guidelines on Port Community Systems (PCS): The FAL Committee approved new guidelines on Port Community Systems.
- Digitalization Initiatives: The FAL Committee considered recommendations and proposals stemming from a recent survey conducted by industry partners on digitalization within ports. The survey indicated a need for standardized and harmonized digital systems across ports globally, given the wide range of different port call interfaces and documentation among Member States, as well as the lack of IT infrastructure on many ships that would enable more efficient data exchange with ports.
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Source: Lloyd’sRegister
