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Imo Facilitation Committee News

15 Apr 2019

ICS Backs IMO's Anti-Corruption Moves

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed to address maritime corruption by including this important issue in its work programme for the Facilitation Committee.The decision to include an anti-corruption agenda came at the latest meeting of the IMO’s Facilitation Committee (FAL) in response to a submission from Liberia, Marshall Islands, Norway, United Kingdom, United States and Vanuatu. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) co-sponsored the submission along with a number of other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping said: “Corruption erodes trust in government and undermines the social contract. Corruption impedes investment, with consequent effects on growth and jobs.

15 Apr 2019

IMO Includes Anti-Corruption on Formal Agenda

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) showed massive support  agreeing to include maritime corruption as a regular work item on its agenda.A paper on the topic of maritime corruption was presented by the Marshall Islands with  many countries and international organizations  expressing their endorsement of a proposal to develop guidelines to assist all stakeholders in embracing and implementing anti-corruption practices and procedures at the 43rd meeting of the Facilitation Committee (FAL). The IMO will now work on a Guidance document to address maritime corruption. This is expected to be completed by 2021. Danish Shipping welcomed the support from the international community for this initiative.“We have a long-standing commitment to stamping out maritime corruption.

08 Apr 2019

EIC Made Compulsory in Ports

A new global rule mandated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for national governments to introduce electronic information exchange (EIC) between ships and ports took effect from Monday (8 April 2019).The aim is to make cross-border trade simpler and the logistics chain more efficient, for the more than 10 billion tons of goods which are traded by sea annually across the globe, said a press note from the UN body.The requirement, mandatory under IMO's Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention), is part of a package of amendments under the revised Annex to the FAL Convention, adopted in…

10 Jun 2018

BIMCO to Step Up Fight Against Maritime Corruption

BIMCO is helping the industry raise its voice against maritime corruption and supports initiatives that help fight unfair trade. At the 42nd session of the International Maritime Organisation’s Facilitation Committee (FAL) in London on June 5-8th, BIMCO has backed a request made by The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) for the IMO and member States to fully recognise the scale of maritime corruption and to take a stand against this type of crime. MACN is a global business network working towards a corruption free maritime industry that enables fair trade to the benefit of society. The network has submitted a paper to the IMO Committee that discusses the impact of corruption on society, how it acts as a trade barrier and how it hinders social economic growth.

31 Jan 2018

Data Models for Maritime E-Business

Effective global electronic data exchange for ships entering and leaving ports depends on standardized and harmonized practices for data exchange. This can include data models which define and format data which might be transferred between automated systems, such as for export, import and transit. IMO participated in the World Customs Organization (WCO) Data Model Project Team meeting (22-26 January) in Brussels, to receive updates on the latest work by the WCO. The WCO Data Model supports the implementation of a “single window” for electronic data exchange, as it allows the reporting of information to all government agencies through the unique way it organizes regulatory information.

11 Apr 2016

New Data Exchange Rules for International Shipping

A new standard relating to the obligation of public authorities to establish systems for the electronic exchange of information is among important changes in the revised Annex to the Facilitation Convention, which is expected to enter into force on January 1, 2018. (Photo: IMO)

Mandatory requirements for the electronic exchange of information on cargo, crew and passengers have been adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as part of a revised and modernized annex to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL), which aims to harmonize procedures for ship’s  arrival, stay and departure from port. The new standard relating to the obligation of public authorities to establish systems for the electronic exchange of information…

01 Sep 2015

IMO’s Sekimizu Condemns People Smugglers

Koji Sekimizu (Photo: IMO)

Prompted by recent incidents in which hundreds of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe have lost their lives, including dozens found dead in the holds of the ships that were carrying them, International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu has voiced strong condemnation and refreshed calls for concerted action to tackle people smugglers. Sekimizu noted that smugglers were sending people to sea in craft that were totally unsuitable for passengers and crowding them on board to levels that were completely unsafe.

29 Sep 2014

IMO Takes Step Towards Electronic Certificates

In the future, the IMO member States should accept the use of electronic certificates. This is the request of the Facilitation Committee (FAL) and, hence, the road is paved for less paperwork, nuisance and delays for the shipping industry. In the future, it must be easier to use electronic certificates. This was decided by the Facilitation Committee of United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Friday when it approved a set of updated guidelines on the use of electronic certificates. ”These new guidelines constitute a major leap forward for electronic certificates.

28 Sep 2014

IMO Takes Important Step Towards Electronic Certificates

In the future, the IMO member States should accept the use of electronic certificates. This is the request of the Facilitation Committee (FAL) and, hence, the road is paved for less paperwork, nuisance and delays for the shipping industry. In the future, it must be easier to use electronic certificates. This was decided by the Facilitation Committee of United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Friday when it approved a set of updated guidelines on the use of electronic certificates. ”These new guidelines constitute a major leap forward for electronic certificates. Hereby, the IMO is sending a clear signal that port State control inspectors…

05 Apr 2013

Maritime Lawyers Join Forces with Shipowners

New Brochure highlights importance of FAL Convention, as IMO Facilitation Committee meets in London. A copy of the new ICS, ISF and CMI Campaign Brochure is attached, and contains additional information about the international Conventions to which this PR refers. The Comité Maritime International (CMI) – the international association for maritime lawyers – has joined forces with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) - which represent the operators of over 80% of the world merchant fleet - to promote those key international maritime Conventions which they believe are vital for governments to ratify and implement as soon as possible.

18 Feb 2013

Seafarers Travel the World, Only See the Sea

ISF's Natalie Shaw: Photo credit ISF

The International Shipping Federation (ISF) calls on port states to facilitate  the right of seafarers to shore leave. ISF has made this proposal in a submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Facilitation Committee, which next meets in April to consider its current review of the IMO Convention on the Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL). The FAL Convention includes a blanket prohibition on port states requiring seafarers to obtain visas in order to enjoy shore leave.

23 Jan 2002

IMO Issues Security Measures To Prevent Stowaways

Standards and recommended practices for dealing with stowaways have been adopted as amendments to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention)Ships are to be thoroughly searched for stowaways on leaving high-risk ports and measures to prevent stowaways secreting themselves on board are to be tightened, following the adoption by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of new international standards and recommended practices to deal with the problem.The new measures, which will be incorporated into the Convention on Facilitation of Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention), stipulate that Contracting…

07 Aug 2007

Stowaway Focal Point set up at the IMO

The IMO has established a Stowaway Focal Point within the IMO's Maritime Safety Division as a result of the INTERCARGO/INTERTANKO submission to the IMO Facilitation Committee. The Focal Point is linked to the Head of Facilitation Section. At the March meeting of the IMO Facilitation Committee, FAL 34, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO presented a joint paper, with verbal support at the meeting from ICS, inviting consideration of a proposal to create an IMO "Stowaway Focal Point" (SFP). Subject to certain provisos, FAL 34 agreed in principle that an SFP should be put in place for a one year trial period to offer assistance in facilitating diplomatic…

14 Apr 2003

IMO Issues Circular on E-address

The IMO Facilitation Committee issued a Circular recommending that member governments provide information on the E-addresses of government agencies to which ships could transmit via e-mail information regarding crew lists, passenger lists, and other information that would both facilitate arrival and enhance maritime security. The information should also indicate the format of the data.