A joint IMO-Singapore project seeks to create a Maritime Single Window ship clearance system in a pilot port, with a view to supporting more ports in future. IMO has now issued a call for expressions of interest from countries with a medium-sized port to take part in the pilot.
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The “Single Window for Facilitation of Trade (SWiFT) Project” will develop a system in a pilot port to allow electronic submission, through one single portal, of all information required by various Government agencies when a ship calls at a port. This concept is known as the Maritime Single Window (MSW) system.
Under IMO’s FAL Convention, electronic exchange of data is required to ensure the efficient clearance of ships. The single window concept is recommended, in order to avoid duplication of effort. The move comes as the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the value of digitalization and electronic exchange of required data is speedier, more reliable, efficient and COVID-secure.
Under the pilot project, the selected country will be advised on the necessary legal, policy and institutional requirements for the MSW system. The port will then be provided with functional MSW software, hardware and/or IT services, configured to the country’s needs, as well as training.
The pilot will be supported by Singapore via in-kind contributions and by IMO via the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP).
Increased digitalization supports greater efficiency which benefits the ship, the port and wider supply chain. We want to support countries in implementing the FAL Convention requirements for electronic data exchange, by supporting a pilot project which will show the way and result in know-how which can then be shared with others,
…said Kitack Lim, IMO’s Secretary-General.
Following the initial pilot and subject to funding availability, the aim is to replicate the pilot project in other IMO Member States in need of similar technical assistance.
Following implementation in the pilot port, the IMO-Singapore project endeavours to springboard countries in their digitalization journey and unlock the full potential of their maritime sectors. It is only when most, if not all, ports undergo digital transformation, that the full benefits of digitalization can be realized by the maritime community. With support from IMO’s Department of Partnership and Projects, we envisage an increasing number of discussions with external partners and resource mobilization efforts to support an ambitious scaling-up plan for this pilot initiative,
…Mr. Julian Abril, Head of IMO’s Facilitation Section said.
The IMO-Singapore SWiFT Project builds upon an earlier successful project that delivered a maritime single window system in Antigua and Barbuda. That project, supported by Norway, was based on their experience in electronic facilitation of maritime trade and was implemented in 2018-2019.
Singapore will bring in its experience to cater to the technical requirements for medium-size ports and for ports that would like to incorporate port to port communication protocols in such a system. The country launched its maritime single window system ‘digitalPORT@SG’, in 2019.
Close collaboration between maritime stakeholders is fundamental in ensuring an inclusive transitioning of the global maritime industry into a more efficient digital future. Having successfully implemented digitalPORT@SG™ – our national MSW – , Singapore stands ready to do our part, and we look forward to partnering an IMO Member State on this meaningful journey,
…added Mr Tan Suan Jow, Dean of MPA Singapore Academy.
IMO has invited Member States with an identified medium-sized port to submit their expressions of interest by 30 April 2021, in order to participate in the SWiFT Project. The implementation of specific activities of the Pilot Project is expected to commence by 15 June 2021.
The work on maritime single window implementation will support achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 9, which seeks to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
