Maritime Single Window for Antigua and Barbuda
By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Monday, October 16, 2017
Antigua and Barbuda is getting ready to implement a maritime single window for ship notifications relating to stay and departure of the vessel, under a project facilitated by IMO technical cooperation programme. Norway is financing the project as well as providing technical expertise.
The first phase of the project has been initiated with a kick-off week in St. John's (9-13 October). This week provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the scope of the project, identify existing facilities and conduct a needs assessment.
The aim is to install a fully functional system based on SafeSeaNet Norway (SSNN), an internet-based maritime single window reporting system focused on FAL Forms. This single window - like other single window concepts - will connect all terminals for stakeholders such as customs, defence, police, maritime authorities, and ports in the country.
Vessels will be able to register mandatory arrival and departure information via the single window and this information will be forwarded to individual authorities and ports in accordance with international and national regulations.
Amendments to International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Facilitation Convention adopted in 2016 require Parties to establish systems for the electronic exchange of information by 8 April 2019.
The intention is that the Antigua and Barbuda Single Window will provide a system for maritime transport clearance, including the clearance of the ship electronically, by the deadline.