Turkmenistan is stepping up progress towards accession to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL), with IMO’s support.
The FAL Convention is a global treaty aimed at achieving the most efficient international maritime transport as possible, with smooth transit in ports of ships, cargo and passengers. The treaty contains standards, rules and recommended practices to simplify procedures involved in the arrival, stay and departure of ships at a port.
Organized at the request of the Government, a recent seminar brought together national ministries and agencies with responsibilities for the clearance of ships, cargoes, crews, and passengers at the port of Turkmenbashi. The seminar provided important information and advice on the latest amendments to the FAL Convention, which entered into force on 1 January 2024.
This includes regulations on the use of ‘Maritime Single Window’ systems, which is now required of all IMO Member States. The maritime single window is a one-stop digital platform through which various agencies can share and exchange information needed to clear the arrival, stay and departure of ships quickly and efficiently.
Turkmenistan’s ratification of the FAL Convention will enhance its national Single Window system at seaport checkpoints by enabling electronic submission of ship arrival/departure data, standardizing international terms, and improving state supervision over maritime activities.
The move aligns with Turkmenistan’s digital economy development plan (2019-2025) and will help ensure compliance with global maritime standards.
Currently, 129 countries have adopted the FAL Convention, and Turkmenistan has been an IMO member since 1993.
