The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has carried out a Call for countries with a medium-sized port to participate in a pilot project. The aim is to establish an efficient digitalised system for the electronic exchange of information in ports for the clearance of ships.
According to release of the United Nations agency that promotes cooperation between states and the transport industry, “eThe Single Window Project for Trade Facilitation (SWiFT) will develop a system in a pilot port to allow, through a single portal, the electronic submission of all information required by various government agencies when a ship calls at a port.” And he clarifies: “This concept It is known as the Maritime Single Window System (MSW) and the SWiFT project will be implemented by IMO in partnership with Singapore.”
The IMO indicates that the regulations of the Facilitation Convention require electronic data exchange for ensure efficient dispatch of vesselsFor this reason, the concept of a one-stop shop is recommended to avoid duplication of efforts. Individual data information only needs to be submitted once, electronically, through a single entry point, to the relevant regulatory agencies and other bodies.
In this regard, the IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, he said: “Increased digitalisation supports greater efficiency that benefits the ship, the port and the wider supply chain.” He added: “We want to help countries implement the requirements of the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) for electronic data exchange, by supporting a pilot project that will show the way and result in technical knowledge that can then be shared with others.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the value of digitalization. “Electronic exchange of required data is faster, more reliable, efficient and secure in COVID times, as face-to-face contact is minimized.”
Support for competitiveness
Within the framework of the pilot project, the selected country will be advised on the legal, political and institutional requirements necessary for the maritime single window system. Subsequently, the port will have itsoftware, hardware and/or IT services functional, configured according to the needs of the country. It will also be provided training.
The pilot port will be supported by Singapore through in-kind contributions and by the IMO through the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP).
Following the initial experience and subject to the availability of funds, the aim is to replicate the pilot project in other IMO Member States in need of similar technical assistance.
El Head of the IMO Facilitation Section, Julian Abril,said that “following the implementation at the pilot port, the IMO-Singapore project strives to kick-start countries on their digitalisation journey and unlock the full potential of their maritime sectors. It is only when most, if not all, ports undergo a digital transformation, that the maritime community can reap the full benefits of digitalisation.” He further explained: “With the support of IMO’s Partnerships and Projects Department, we foresee an increasing number of dialogues with external partners and resource mobilisation efforts to support an ambitious scale-up plan for this pilot initiative.”
Also, the Dean of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Academy, Tan Suan Jow, noted that “close collaboration between maritime stakeholders is essential to ensure an inclusive transition of the global maritime industry towards a more efficient digital future.”
The IMO-Singapore SWiFT project builds on a previous successful project that delivered a Maritime Single Window system in Antigua and Barbuda. This predecessor was implemented in 2018-2019, with in-kind and financial support provided by Norway, based on its experience in electronic facilitation of maritime trade.
The IMO has invited Member States with an identified medium-sized port to submit their expressions of interest. before 30 April, 2021, in order to participate in the SWiFT Project.
More information is contained in the following Circular No. 4391.
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