MPA: Maritime Single Windows mandated for all ports from 1 January 2024

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Published Fri, 5th January 2024
by Admin

MSW provides a one-stop service environment that consolidates the electronic submission of all info required for port calls, such that they only need to be provided once and transmitted to stakeholders.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on Friday (5 January) said it has been mandated that port authorities have to establish, maintain and use single window systems to electronically exchange info needed for the arrival, stay and departure of ships in ports.

This comes following the International Maritime Organization Facilitation (FAL) Committee resolution FAL.14(46) coming into force on 1 January, according to MPA Chief Executive Eng Dih Teo.

A Maritime Single Window (MSW) provides a one-stop service environment that consolidates the electronic submission of all info required for port calls, such that they only need to be provided once, and thereafter transmitted to the stakeholders across the value chain including shipping lines, port authorities, customs and other government agencies.

“The exchange of data between stakeholders avoids duplicate submissions, reduces the admin burden on workers and improves efficiency of port operations,” he said.

To facilitate vessel calls at the Port of Singapore, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) launched its MSW, digitalPORT@SGᵀᴹ, in 2019. digitalPORT@SGᵀᴹ streamlines vessel, immigration and health clearances across multiple agencies by consolidating 16 forms into a single submission, saving up to 100,000 man-hours per year.

In October 2023, MPA launched the Just-In-Time Planning and Coordination Platform which provides advance info of vessel arrival schedules, allowing them to maintain an optimal operating speed to reduce dwell times in port, leading to faster turnaround times, costs and emission savings.

Drawing from Singapore’s experience with digitalPORT@SGᵀᴹ, MPA worked with the IMO on the Single Window for Facilitation of Trade (SWiFT) project, which helped to exchange experiences with other ports, and build an MSW for the Port of Lobito in Angola. The MSW was handed over to Angola in Nov 2023, which can improve its port efficiency.

“As ports across the world embark on their digital transformation, we can expect shipping to be safer, more efficient and environmentally sustainable – especially to support the growth of global trade and supply chain connectivity in the coming years,” Eng added.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 5 January, 2024

MPA: Maritime Single Windows mandated for all ports from 1 January 2024

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