The Single Window for Facilitation of Trade (SWiFT) project, a collaboration between the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Singapore, reaches successful completion at the Port of Lobito in Angola

SINGAPORE and the IMO celebrated the successful completion of the Single Window for Facilitation of Trade (SWiFT) project at the Port of Lobito, Angola, on November 20, 2023. The pilot project, which is part of the broader Maritime Single Window (MSW) initiative, aims to streamline information exchange for efficient ship clearance during port calls.

The handover ceremony marked the end of a week-long virtual user acceptance testing session organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Officials from the IMO, MPA, and the Port of Lobito participated in the event. The MSW digital system, developed under the SWiFT project, enables the electronic submission of all required information through a single online portal, enhancing the efficiency of port operations.

Starting from January 1, 2024, all ports globally will be required to operate Maritime Single Windows, facilitating the exchange of information at a ship’s arrival, during its stay, and at departure. This mandatory implementation aligns with international shipping’s commitment to advancing digitalization and decarbonization, as outlined in the amendments to the IMO’s FAL Convention.

The SWiFT project, initiated in March 2021 as a strategic partnership between IMO and Singapore, focused on supporting medium-sized ports in establishing secure digital interconnectivity with counterparts worldwide. This collaboration aimed to help ports meet the mandatory obligations under the FAL Convention.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, in collaboration with IMO, worked closely with relevant Angolan stakeholders, including the Port of Lobito and Agência Marítima Nacional, to develop a functional generic MSW platform tailored to the specific needs of the Port of Lobito.

Julian Abril, Head of the IMO’s Facilitation Section, highlighted the significance of the SWiFT project in preparing ports for the mandatory implementation of MSWs, stating that the lessons and experience gained will contribute to the global implementation of MSWs.

Gavin Yeo, MPA Deputy Director (Sectoral Systems Development), expressed satisfaction in partnering with IMO and the Port of Lobito, emphasizing that the MSW platform draws from Singapore’s national MSW implementation, digitalPORT@SGTM. Yeo sees the potential for the project to enhance efficiencies in international shipping, port operations, and global supply chains.

The SWiFT project received support from Singapore through in-kind contributions and from IMO through the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), aimed at helping countries build capacities for effective compliance with the organization’s regulatory framework. The initiative builds upon a prior successful project in 2019, which delivered a Maritime Single Window system in Antigua and Barbuda.

Source – IMO & MPA