The IMO Facilitation Committee (FAL) discusses facilitation of international maritime traffic, including the arrival, stay and departure of ships, persons and cargo from ports.
Below is a brief overview of some of the significant outcomes from FAL 50:
Strategy on Maritime Digitalisation
- An action plan cataloguing current ongoing IMO digitalisation work and proposing gap‑closing outputs will be drafted; Administrations/delegations must submit any new outputs formally to MSC / MEPC / LEG / FAL.
- A draft maritime digitalisation strategic plan was finalised and will be submitted to MSC, MEPC and LEG for input/endorsement, with a revised draft due at FAL 51 (2027) and adoption targeted at Assembly 35.
Maritime Cyber Code
The IMO has initiated work on a goals‑based, non‑mandatory Maritime Cyber Code. The Code is expected to be completed by 2028 and should be flexible to allow Contracting Governments to account for regional/national requirements.
IMO Compendium
A new version of the IMO Compendium has been adopted. It includes a number of new data sets.
Amendments to FAL convention
- A new resolution modifying the FAL Convention was adopted with an anticipated entry into force of 2028. The amendments are related to public health.
- Future amendments will include non-mandatory data submission requirements for Advance Passenger Information (API) and Booking and Reservation Information/Passenger Name Record (BRI). These changes are expected to be adopted at FAL 51 (2027). Implementation of these changes will be left to the discretion of Contracting Governments.
