The IMO-Singapore “Single Window for Facilitation of Trade (SWiFT) Project is being piloted in the Port of Lobito, Angola to support medium-size ports to meet the requirements of the FAL Convention and facilitate inter-connectivity between ports worldwide through the development of a generic and secure IMO-Maritime Single Window.
The initiative is part of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) drive to accelerate digitization to strengthen the facilitation of international maritime traffic.
The FAL Convention offers standards, suggested practices, and guidelines for streamlining documentation needs, formalities, and ship arrival, stay, and departure processes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the value of digitalization. Electronic exchange of required data is speedier, more reliable, efficient and COVID-secure, since face-to-face contact is minimized.
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. Training will also be provided, as well as advice on policy reforms required to successfully implement an MSW.
The collaboration is being undertaken by the IMO in conjuction with with donors to support the mandatory requirements of the FAL Convention which will enter into force on 1 January 2024.
This requires public authorities to establish a Maritime Single Window with provisions of electronic information exchange such that all information is submitted once and reused to the maximum extent possible.
Recently a team from IMO team visited the ports of Lobito and Luanda to oversee progress on the implementation process. The National Maritime Authority (AMN), an agency from the Ministry of Transport is leading the effort in Lobito.
The pilot is being supported by Singapore via in-kind contributions and by IMO via the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP).
Located on the west coast of Angola, Port of Lobito is a gateway port for the west Africa. It handles containers, dry bulk and mining materials, serving the economic development of the central and southern regions of Angola. Through the Benguela Railway, the port also serves countries of the Southern African Development Community that do not have access to the sea.
Source: https://www.porttechnology.org/news/swift-project-angola-port-moves-ahead-with-maritime-single-window/
