Answer
FAL ConventionFAL = Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965.
Its purpose is to simplify and harmonize formalities, documentary requirements and procedures relating to the arrival, stay and departure of ships, including crew, passengers, cargo and port clearances.
A key idea is: minimum paperwork, standardized data, electronic exchange, and “submit information once and reuse it.”
Key Recent & Adopted Amendments to the FAL Convention
1. Mandatory Maritime Single Window (MSW)
Status: Entered into force on January 1, 2024 (Adopted at FAL 46).
Core Provision: Makes it mandatory for public authorities and port administrations worldwide to establish, maintain, and mandate a centralized digital Maritime Single Window (MSW) for the electronic exchange of ship-shore clearance data.
Data Principle: "Single Submission" policy—data is submitted once electronically and reused across port agencies (customs, immigration, port state control, health authorities).
2. Anti-Corruption Measures
Status: In force since January 1, 2024.
Core Provision: Requires Contracting Governments to systematically address corrupt practices at the ship-shore interface by enforcing integrity, transparency, and reporting protocols against illicit demands during clearance.
3. Key Worker Designation & Public Health Protections
Status: In force since January 1, 2024, with additional alignment updates adopted through 2026.
Core Provision: Mandates that port authorities designate seafarers and port personnel as Key Workers to ensure unimpeded crew changes, access to medical care, vaccination, and supply chain continuity during Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC).
India has implemented the requirement through the Maritime Single Window – Sagar Setu, forming part of the National Logistics Portal–Marine, NLP-Marine.
The Government launched the MSW module on 1 February 2024 specifically to align Indian port-clearance procedures with the IMO FAL Convention. It allows electronic submission, processing and exchange of information between ships/shipping agents, ports and government authorities.
India has expanded MSW-Sagar Setu to all 12 Major Ports and 56 other-than-Major Ports, with further integration and security upgrades underway.
The seven standard IMO FAL declarations are:
- FAL 1 – General Declaration
- FAL 2 – Cargo Declaration
- FAL 3 – Ship's Stores Declaration
- FAL 4 – Crew's Effects Declaration
- FAL 5 – Crew List
- FAL 6 – Passenger List
- FAL 7 – Dangerous Goods Manifest.