IMO steps up progress on digitalisation to enhance maritime safety and security

The Facilitation Committee (FAL) of the IMO has approved a global strategy for maritime digitalisation as well as cybersecurity measures for maritime single windows.

Meeting in London for its 50th session last week (23 - 27 March), the Committee approved the IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalization, aimed at transforming global maritime operations. It emphasises interoperability, system standardisation, data-sharing and effective data governance across organisations and jurisdictions.

The Strategy establishes maritime digitalisation as an overarching IMO policy, to be integrated into the Organization’s Strategic Plan and applied across all IMO bodies and processes. This includes engagement with maritime administrations, the shipping industry and seafarers.

The goal is to improve efficiency and reduce administrative burdens by facilitating the sharing, verification and renewal of seafarer credentials, passenger identification and ship certificates. The Strategy also uses data to enhance navigation safety and strengthen ships’ environmental performance, promoting human-centred systems that are resilient to disruptions, cyber threats and environmental challenges.

Following FAL Committee approval, the Strategy will be shared with the IMO’s Legal, Marine Environment, and Maritime Safety Committees for further review before being submitted for adoption to the IMO Assembly’s 35th session in 2027.

As digitalisation increases, so do cyber threats that could cause operational, safety, or security failures. To address this, the FAL Committee approved amendments to the Annex of the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965 (FAL Convention). These amendments require Contracting Governments to implement mandatory cybersecurity measures to protect maritime single windows, in line with national legislation.

Maritime Single Windows (MSWs) are one-stop digital platforms established by maritime authorities to facilitate information exchange between ships and government agencies. The amendments aim to protect these systems - which are key to streamlining procedures for arrival, stay and departure at ports - from cyber risks.

The amendments will be submitted for adoption at the next Committee session (FAL 51) in 2027, with expected entry into force on 1 January 2029.