BIMCO co-authored a proposal to present on at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) virtual Facilitation Committee (FAL) meeting next week (FAL 44), pushing for standardization and harmonization of electronic ship/shore communication for reporting purposes.
BIMCO proposes developing international guidelines for the electronic interface between ship and shore, and for all actors in the port call operation, to optimize the efficiency of both ports and ships, and in turn, benefit the global supply chain.
Jeppe Skovbakke Juhl, Manager, Maritime Safety and Security commented that
Although a bit technical, such guidelines should provide the necessary information on authentication of the users, integrity and confidentiality, but also include technical requirements.
The technical requirements include service interface descriptions, data structures used by the service(s), dynamic behaviour of the service(s) and sequence of operations. Also it covers technical issues like choice of protocols and technology for data exchanges, taking due consideration of international standards developments, Juhl explains.
He highlights that a positive outcome of the pandemic is the industry’s efforts to re-examine its daily routines in shipping, taking a gigantic leap forward by establishing digital solutions.
BIMCO also calls for the establishment of a robust roadmap and time plan for the completion of an electronic information exchange framework in general, allowing all stakeholders to aligning national projects with the IMO progress. The schedule should also include completion of IMO reference data model and guidance.
