Mozambique Enhances Ship/Shore Interface
When the communication between ships and port is smoothly run, shipments move more quickly, more easily and more efficiently. This is where International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Facilitation Convention comes in. The FAL convention contains standards and recommended practices and rules for simplifying formalities, documentary requirements and procedures on ships’ arrival, stay and departure. The benefits of ratification and implementation of the FAL Convention were highlighted during a National Seminar on Facilitation of Maritime Traffic (27-29 March), held in Maputo, Mozambique. The aim was to support Mozambique to ratify the Convention, including its latest amendments.
African Ports to Reduce Stowaway Incidents
How to cut the numbers of stowaways in African ports was the subject of a regional International Maritime Organization (IMO) seminar in Yaoundé, Cameroon this week (20-22 March). The event gathered representatives from nine ports (Abidjan, Cape Town, Dakar, Djibouti, Durban, Lagos, Mombasa, Tema, and Takoradi) to share the actions they have taken since 2014 – when similar IMO events took place in Abidjan and Durban. Stowaway incidents continue to have a significant impact on safe ship operation and on the life and health of stowaways. Incidents cause considerable difficulties for shipmasters, shipping companies, shipowners and ship operators in disembarking stowaways from ships into the care of appropriate authorities.
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.
IMO Addressing the Migrant Crisis
​The loss of life of migrants at sea is a humanitarian tragedy that needs to be addressed through appropriate and effective action at the United Nations. International Maritime Organization (IMO) recognizes the crucial role played by both Government and non-governmental organizations in search and rescue operations, as well as the part played by merchant ships in coming to the aid of persons in distress at sea. During the second workshop of the International Dialogue on Migration (IDM), held in Geneva (18-19 July), IMO’s Julian Abril told the meeting that the number of merchant ships involved in rescue operations has remained relatively constant since 2015. The average number of persons rescued by each merchant ship remains over 110.
IMO on Free-Flowing Maritime Traffic in South-East Asia
The key International Maritime Organization (IMO)treaty supporting the free flow of international maritime traffic – the Facilitation Convention – is the subject of a regional seminar in Bangkok, Thailand (22-26 May). The so-called “FAL Convention” provides a set of consistent, uniform regulations that cover the wide range of administrative tasks required of ships coming into and leaving port. These include customs declarations, immigrations clearance, import and export permits and many others. Implementing these regulations can both help reduce transport costs and contribute to sustainable development. The Bangkok seminar involves 53 participants from 11 countries (Brunei Darussalam…
Preventing Maritime Traffic Delays
Facilitation of maritime traffic is on the agenda at a national seminar being held in Manila, the Philippines (6-8 December), with thirty participants from ministries responsible for clearing ships, cargo, crew and passengers at ports of the Philippines, and private stakeholders. The workshop is assisting the Philippines with the ratification process of International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL), which is designed to help prevent unnecessary delays in maritime traffic. The workshop will cover recent developments in the FAL Convention that were adopted by the IMO’s FAL Committee in April 2016.
Promoting Facilitation in Fiji
A National Seminar on Facilitation of Maritime Traffic is being held in Suva, Fiji (13-15 July). The event aims to assist Fiji to more effectively implement the Convention of Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) and to advise on the recently-adopted amendments to the Annex to the FAL Convention. The seminar has been organized by International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), and is being attended by 26 participants from ministries with responsibilities in the clearance of ships, cargo, crew and passengers at ports of Fiji, and private stakeholders. IMO is represented by Julian Abril.
Maritime Security handbook: Stowaways by Sea
Improvements in security have not reduced the number of stowaways or the number of incidents and it is seafarers who have to cope with the extra work, delay, uncertainty and possible violence. This is why The Nautical Institute has today (Wednesday, April 9, 2014) launched Maritime Security handbook: stowaways by sea, aimed at helping people who have to deal with stowaways by giving advice on the preparation and training that is needed both onboard and ashore. The handbook gives practical guidance on making a vessel secure against stowaways, managing any that have succeeded in getting onboard, collecting the necessary evidence and organising the repatriation process.
