Mandatory requirements for the electronic exchange of information on cargo, crew and passengers have been adopted by the IMO.
These requirements are part of a revised and modernised annex to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL), which aims to harmonise procedures for ship’s arrival, stay and departure from port.
Three Years to Establish Electronic Exchange
Under the revised Annex, public authorities have to establish systems for the electronic exchange of information, within three years after adoption. The Annex is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2018.
There will be a transitional period of twelve months from the date of the introduction of such systems to make electronic transmission mandatory, during which period paper and electronic documents would be allowed.
FAL Treaty and Annex
The FAL treaty, first adopted in 1965, aims to create uniformity in formalities and other procedures concerning arrival, stay and departure of the ship and its crew, passengers, baggage and cargo.
The update is to address the shipping industry’s present and emerging needs and serves to facilitate and expedite international maritime traffic. The objective is to prevent unnecessary delays to ships and to persons and property on board.
Other revisions and updates cover:
- Shore leave and access to shore-side facilities for crew, including that there should be no discrimination, with respect to shore leave, on grounds of nationality, race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, social origin, or flag State of the ship.
- Standards and recommended practices relating to stowaways, which now include references to relevant sections of the International Ship and Port Facilities’ Security (ISPS) Code. A new standard requires Governments, where appropriate, to incorporate into their national legislation legal grounds to allow prosecution of stowaways, attempted stowaways and any individual or company aiding a stowaway or an attempted stowaway with the intention to facilitate access to the port area, any ship, cargo or freight containers.
- The IMO Standardised Forms (FAL forms): IMO General Declaration; Cargo Declaration; Ship's Stores Declaration; Crew's Effects Declaration; Crew List, and Passenger List and Dangerous Goods.
