IMO Expert Lectures on Facilitation and Maritime Single Window

On 27 January, WMU students had the opportunity to interact with Mr Julian Abril Garcia, Head of the Facilitation Section in the Maritime Safety Division at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), who delivered a lecture on “Facilitation and Maritime Single Window”. 


The lecture focused on the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL), a key component of the IMO’s regulatory framework. Essential aspects were presented such as the documentation and messages required for port clearance, stowaways and the Maritime Single Window, which became mandatory under IMO regulations on 1 January 2024 for ship data exchange in ports.


Mr Abril Garcia highlighted IMO’s role in supporting Member States with the development and implementation of the Maritime Single Window, along with the organization’s future ambitions in this area. In 2024, a number of needs assessment missions were led by IMO in different countries with regard to setting up national Maritime Single Windows. A run-through of the agenda of the forthcoming 49th session of IMO’s Facilitation Committee, which will be held from 10 to 14 March 2025, was also presented. Topics tabled for discussion include amendments to the FAL Convention, a definition of key workers for seafarers, review and revision of the IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business, development of joint guidelines on electronic certificates across IMO’s technical committees and measures to address Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).


Mr Abril Garcia has over 30 years of experience in maritime administration on subjects related to safety, security, and human factor and facilitation, at national and international levels. He joined IMO in 2011 where his responsibilities include participation in different regional and national technical cooperation activities to promote the ratification of the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, as well as to improve its effective implementation. He also actively participates in various IMO projects to assist Member States in the implementation of Maritime Single Windows in their ports.


The Malmö MSc in Maritime Affairs is a 14-month programme with seven specializations: Maritime Education & Training; Maritime Energy Management; Maritime Law & Policy; Maritime Safety & Environmental Administration; Ocean Sustainability, Governance and Management; Port Management, and Shipping Management & Logistics. Foundation studies are taught in the first term and cover the introductory knowledge that is fundamental to all activities in the maritime field. Three successive terms focus on specialization studies and a dissertation. WMU has more than 80 Visiting Lecturers from around the world who contribute their expertise to enrich the education of WMU students.

https://www.wmu.se/news/imo-expert-maritime-single-window

2025/2/7 9:40:00