IMO’s Committee (FAL), 47th session (13-17 March 2023) adopted a new amendment to the FAL Convention which aims to address the need to combat illicit activities in the national facilitation programs of Governments.
The amended recommended practice 7.11 says that each Contracting Government should consider establishing, in close cooperation with the maritime industry, a national maritime transport facilitation program based on the facilitation requirements of the FAL 47 annex.
Each Contracting Government must also ensure that the objective of its facilitation program should be to adopt all practical measures to facilitate the movement of ships, cargo, crews, passengers, mail and stores, by removing unnecessary obstacles and delays, taking into account the need to combat illicit activities.
The amendment is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2025.
