Facilitation Committee (FAL), 50th session, 23-27 March 2026
The Facilitation Committee met at IMO Headquarters in London for its 50th session (FAL 50) in London from 23-27 March, 2026 (with hybrid participation). The session was chaired by Mr. Watchara Chiemanukulkit (Thailand).
- Secretary-General's opening remarks/ closing remarks
- Photo gallery
- Press release - Facilitation Committee approves digitalization strategy and cyber security measures
FAL 50 highlights
- IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalization – approved
- Mandatory cybersecurity measures for maritime single windows – amendments to FAL Convention approved
- Evaluation of maritime single window implementation
- New IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business - approved
- Ongoing work on maintaining the IMO Compendium
- Introduction of API and BRI in maritime transport – amendments to FAL Convention approved
- Vaccinations and medical care for crews during international public health emergencies - amendments to FAL Convention adopted
- Revised guidelines on preventing and resolving stowaway cases - adopted
- Stowaway statistics
- Revised roadmap for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code - approved
- Guidelines on the recovery of deceased people approved
- Revised guidelines for the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals – amendments in development
- New outputs agreed
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1. IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalization – approved
The Committee approved the IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalization, which aims to establish digitalization as an overarching IMO policy to be integrated into the Organization’s Strategic Plan and applied across all IMO bodies and processes, and the work plan for the development of the IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalization.
The Strategy is a high-level document focusing on overarching principles, key objectives and scope of action. It emphasizes interoperability, system standardization, data-sharing and effective data governance across organizations and jurisdictions. The goal is to improve efficiency and reduce administrative burdens, using data to enhance navigation safety and strengthen ships’ environmental performance while also promoting human-centred systems resilient to disruptions, cyber threats and environmental challenges.
Following FAL Committee approval, the Strategy will be shared with the IMO’s Maritime Safety, Legal, and Marine Environment Committees (MSC 111 in May 2026, then LEG 114 and MEPC 85 in 2027) for further review before being submitted for adoption at the IMO Assembly’s 35th session in late 2027.
The Correspondence Group on the Development of an IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalization will prepare an action plan for the implementation of the Strategy to be considered at FAL 51, and will consider how the IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalization could be integrated into the Strategic Plan for the Organization for the six-year period 2024 to 2029.
2. Mandatory cybersecurity measures for maritime single windows – amendments to FAL Convention approved
As digitalization 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.
3. Evaluation of maritime single window implementation
The Committee discussed Member States’ implementation of the maritime single window concept, since it was made mandatory on 1 January 2024, and established a work plan up to the year 2029, with SMART indicators and targets.
The Committee instructed the Secretariat to explore a survey programme with non-governmental international organizations, to gather information on the level implementation of MSWs. An initial survey is planned by the end of 2026, along with a follow-up survey in 2028, to understand the impact of MSWs on the workload of maritime users between 2026 and 2028.
The Committee encouraged Member States to report on MSW implementation through the IMO’s GISIS platform. To date, around 42 Member States have submitted reports on MSW implementation.
4. New IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business approved
The Committee approved a new version of the IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business. The compendium is a reference model that ensures maritime data is standardized, consistently formatted and understood across shipping IT systems, facilitating smooth operations, optimizing port calls and supporting Maritime Single Windows (MSWs).
The revised version of the compendium includes new IMO data sets related to the following:
- Meteorological and oceanographic observations;
- Delivery bill for mail consignment;
- Ship Sanitation Certificate;
- Seafarers' related information and STCW certificates;
5. Ongoing work on maintaining the IMO Compendium
The Committee continued its work to maintain the IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business, which is carried out by the Expert Group on Data Harmonization (EGDH). The Committee instructed the EGDH to prepare additional data elements and sub-model for the medical fitness certificates for approval by FAL 51.
The Committee noted the progress on the development of the template for high-level business process flows and descriptions for data sets of the IMO Compendium and approved the terms of reference for the Correspondence Group to continue this work and report back to FAL 51.
6. Introduction of API and BRI in maritime transport – amendments for FAL Convention approved
The FAL Committee approved amendments to the Annex of the FAL Convention that will require ships to declare Advance Passenger and Crew Information (API) and Booking and Reservation Information (BRI) upon arrival and departure at a port. These measures help to strengthen the management of crew and passenger information, enhancing both border control processes and operational efficiency.
The amendments will be submitted for adoption at FAL 51 in 2027, with expected entry into force on 1 January 2029.
7. Vaccinations and medical care for crews during international public health emergencies - amendments adopted
The Committee adopted amendments to Recommended Practice 6.24 in the Annex to the FAL Convention, regarding vaccination and medical care for seafarers during international public health emergencies.
These recommend that governments consider IMO guidance on crew vaccination within national programmes and ensure access to medical care during public health emergencies of international concern.
The amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2028.
8. Revised guidelines on preventing and resolving stowaway cases adopted
The Committee adopted resolution FAL.20(50), on the revised Guidelines on the prevention of access by stowaways and the allocation of responsibilities to seek the successful resolution of stowaway cases.
These Guidelines focus on preventing stowaways from accessing ships and successfully resolving cases where they do gain access. The revisions refine definitions, basic principles as well as guidance, such as those related to preventative measures and State responsibilities.
The Committee invited the Maritime Safety Committee to make consequential amendments to the revised guidelines as adopted by resolution MSC.448(99).
9. Stowaway statistics
The Committee noted that in 2025, 26 stowaway cases had been reported to IMO and the number of stowaways reported was 37. This is the lowest number of cases over the past 10 years (full table below).
The Committee also noted statistics shared by other Organizations, including the P&I Clubs (table below).
The Committee also noted the information provided by the World Shipping Council reporting that WSC recorded 39 stowaway incidents and 160 stowaways between 1 January and 30 September 2025.
The Committee urged Member States and international organizations to provide timely and accurate information on stowaway cases to IMO via the GISIS database.
10. Revised roadmap for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code approved
The Committee approved the revised FAL roadmap for addressing MASS issues related to the FAL Convention. Under the revised roadmap, the Committee is expected to:
- By FAL 51 (2027): Assess the non-mandatory MASS Code expected to be adopted by MSC 111, and consider the need for amendments to, and interpretation of, the annex to the FAL Convention based on the outcome of MSC and LEG. ;
- At a later FAL session, after the adoption of the mandatory MASS Code, the Committee would assess it and consider the need for further amendments to, and interpretation of, the annex to the FAL Convention.
11. Guidelines for the recovery of deceased people approved
The Committee approved MSC-FAL.1/Circ.4 on Guidelines concerning the recovery of deceased persons and death after recovery.
The guidelines address the need for awareness about the proper handling of non-survivors in migrant boats, supplementing resolution MSC.528 (106) on Recommended cooperation to ensure the safety of life at sea, the rescue of persons in distress at sea and the safe disembarkation of survivors.
This includes legal and cultural considerations, as well as paying due respect to the practice of the migrants, the local public health policies in handling a deceased person among survivors rescued in a migrant boat; and considerations in handing over bodies between various organizations.
The guidelines have already been approved by MSC 110.
12. Revised guidelines for the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals – amendments in development
The Committee continued its work to develop amendments to the Revised guidelines for the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals on ships engaged in international maritime traffic (resolutions FAL.9(34) and MSC.228(82)).
The amendments will address gaps related to tackling current threats, and the lack of guarantee on the non-criminalization of seafarers, port personnel and companies.
The Committee re-established the Correspondence Group on this issue to continue developing the draft amendments and submit a report to FAL 51.
13. New outputs
The Committee agreed on three new outputs to be included in its biennial agenda for 2026-2027:
- Development of guidelines on port nautical information
- Amendments to the FAL Convention to align it with the 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) adopted by the Health Assembly, through resolution WHA77.17 (2024) ("2024 amendments")
- Development of a non-mandatory maritime cyber code.
On the non-mandatory maritime cyber code, the Committee established a Correspondence Group to progress intersessionally, invited the Maritime Safety Committee to become an associated organ to this output and to consider the road map for the development for the approval of the Maritime Cyber Code, for concurrent approval. The Committee also approved the establishment of an intersessional working group on a non-mandatory maritime cyber code, to meet in 2027, subject to the concurrent approval of the Maritime Safety Committee and the Council.
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