No Red Tape committee through red tape

FAL came about from an IMO resolution adopted in 1965 to expedite international maritime traffic. And it could be argued that it has never been needed as much as now, since the formalities, documentary requirements and procedures on the arrival, stay and departure of ships have exploded in the last four decades.

FAL therefore has enormous range, and its new status puts it on a par with the Maritime Safety, Marine Environment Protection, Legal, and Technical Co-operation Committees.

This new committee is to combat the “mounting problems encountered by the shipping industry,” as IMO Secretary-General, Mr Efthimios E Mitropoulos said at its special inauguration meeting. He added that it will have input on the problems of armed robbery and terrorist attacks as well as harmonising procedures.