Maritime ‘single window’ project success

New requirements which came into effect on 8 April 2019 require national governments to introduce electronic information exchange between ships and ports. A maritime single window enables this information to be submitted electronically via a single portal, as recommended by IMO’s Facilitation Convention.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said the generic Maritime Single Window system developed under the project would perform many different services helping to make cross-border trade simpler.

“I believe that this system will assist member states, in particular small island developing states, in complying with the new requirements of the FAL Convention. I would like to commend Norway for the project and its generous offer of the source code developed for the system established in Antigua and Barbuda to other interested member states,” said Mr Lim.

The 19-month project was launched in October 2017 and funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industries and Fisheries, with technical expertise provided by the Norwegian Coastal Administration. Norway provided financial support to Antigua and Barbuda and IMO assumed a coordination role between the two countries. Installation of the first, basic system platform took place in June 2018 followed by testing and implementation.

Mr Lim said the IMO would look into establishing an appropriate and permanent funding system to implement Maritime Single Windows in other countries.