The IMO has issued a call for expressions of interest from countries to take part in this Single Window for Facilitation of Trade (SWiFT) project to help develop an efficient digitalised system for port’s ship clearance.
“This excellent news means a kickstart to the third element of our joint industry call to action last June, namely to strive for the introduction of Port Community Systems and secure data exchange platforms in the main ports of all Member States represented in the IMO,” said Dr Patrick Verhoeven, managing director, IAPH.
Digital support
The pilot will be supported by IMO member state Singapore via in-kind contributions by the IMO via its Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP).
Under the pilot project, the selected country will be advised on the necessary legal, policy and institutional requirements for the Maritime Single Window (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.
Singapore has successfully implemented its national Maritime Single Window digitalPORT@SG. IT will now bring in its experience to cater to the technical requirements for medium-size ports and for ports that would like to incorporate port to port communication protocols in such a system.
IMO has invited Member States with an identified medium-sized port to submit their expressions of interest by 30 April 2021, in order to participate in the SWiFT Project.
The implementation of specific activities of the Pilot Project is expected to commence by 15 June 2021.
