The Facilitation Committee (FAL) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved a global strategy for maritime digitalisation and new cybersecurity measures for maritime single windows during the 50th session of the Committee, held in London at the end of March.
The IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalisation focuses on interoperability, system standardisation, and data-sharing across different jurisdictions, with the aim of reducing administrative burdens by facilitating the electronic sharing and renewal of ship certificates and seafarer credentials.
This strategy is intended to be integrated into the Strategic Plan of the Organisation and applied across all IMO bodies. The document will now be reviewed by the Legal, Marine Environment, and Maritime Safety Committees before being submitted for adoption at the 35th session of the IMO Assembly in 2027.
To address increasing cyber threats, the Committee also approved amendments to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965 (FAL Convention), requiring governments to implement mandatory cybersecurity measures to protect Maritime Single Windows (MSW). An MSW is a digital platform established to streamline information exchange between ships and port authorities.
These amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2029 following formal adoption at the next Committee session.
Further decisions included the approval of a new version of the IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business, including new datasets, for adoption at FAL 51.
