On 20 November 2023, a handover ceremony marked the completion of the pilot Single Window for Facilitation of Trade (SWiFT) project of the newly created generic Maritime Single Window (MSW) platform at the Port of Lobito in Angola.
The event took place following a successful week-long user acceptability testing session organised digitally by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), which included officials from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the MPA, and the Port of Lobito. The new MSW digital system provides for the electronic input of all information necessary by multiple authorities to enable smooth clearance of ships during port calls through a single online site.
From 1 January 2024, ports worldwide will be obliged to run Maritime Single Windows for the exchange of information necessary at the point of a ship’s arrival, during its stay, and at departure. The modifications to the IMO’s FAL Convention resulted in the shift, which is in line with international shipping’s ambitions to advance digitization and decarbonisation of the sector.
The SWiFT initiative, one of IMO’s strategic collaborations with donors, was launched in March 2021 by IMO and Singapore to assist medium-sized ports in building secure digital interconnectivity with peers globally, to achieve IMO’s required commitments under the FAL Convention.
“With a single window for data exchange requirements under the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic becoming mandatory in ports from 1 January 2024, the lessons and experience gained from the SWiFT project will contribute towards the implementation of MSWs globally,” stated Julian Abril, head of the IMO’s Facilitation Section.
According to a statement, the SWiFT project was funded in kind by Singapore and in kind by IMO under the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), which aids nations in strengthening their capacities to ensure effective compliance with the Organization’s regulatory framework.
“The MSW platform developed under the SWiFT project draws from Singapore’s experience in the implementation of our national MSW, digitalPORT@SGTM. MPA is pleased to have partnered with IMO and the Port of Lobito on this digital transformation journey, which has the potential to enhance the efficiencies for international shipping, port operations and global supply chains,” added Gavin Yeo, MPA deputy director (Sectoral Systems Development).
