38th session of the FAL Committee
On 8-12 April 2013, the IMO Facilitation Committee (FAL) held a meeting, where efforts were made to spread digital processes to shipping.
At the meeting, the possibilities of using electronic ship certificates were considered. The Committee approved an interim FAL resolution on “Interim guidelines for use of printed versions of electronic certificates”. This is an important step towards the acceptance of electronic certificates as equal to original paper versions, which will reduce some of the administrative burdens imposed on the shipping industry.
Danish focus on administrative burdens
At the meeting, the Danish Captain Christian Rørbeck gave a presentation with hands-on examples of administrative burdens in connection with port calls. The specific examples of administrative tasks were an eye-opener to the many listeners. At the following reception, the lobby was buzzing with renewed motivation to work determinedly to reduce the administrative burdens imposed on shipping. In continuation hereof, the Committee noted a Danish paper requesting that the administrative burdens imposed by international regulation be considered from the perspective of the end users and that the benefit of the regulations in force be evaluated.
Other issues considered at the meeting were the following:
- Handling electronic ship certificates
- Revision of the FAL Convention
- Visa requirements in connection with shore leave
- Updating the FAL Compendium
- Maintenance of global trade systems in case of acts of terrorism or major natural disasters
A full summary of the meeting of the FAL Committee is available here.
Source: Danish Maritime Authority
