First Steps Toward a Cross-Sectional Strategy Leveraging New Technologies to Advance International Maritime Transport.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is taking steps to create a global strategy for digital transition in the maritime sector, aiming to harness emerging technologies to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the maritime transport industry.
A Roadmap for Digital Transformation
Meeting in London from March 10 to 14 for its 49th session, the IMO’s Facilitation Committee (FAL) outlined a work plan for developing the IMO’s strategy for digital transition in the maritime sector, which is to be adopted by the Organization’s supreme governing body—the IMO Assembly—by the end of 2027.
The cross-cutting strategy will cover various areas of IMO activities and foster interconnection, harmonization, and automation within the global maritime sector.
To guide this process, the Facilitation Committee has established a correspondence group tasked with defining the scope of the strategy, its main objectives, and its implementation framework. The group will work throughout the coming year to identify existing and emerging technologies, standards, and methodologies that can support the digital transition in the maritime sector, ensuring alignment between different IMO committees.
The Facilitation Committee has invited the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) to encourage Member States and international organizations to join the correspondence group, ensuring the swift participation of all stakeholders in the development of the IMO’s digital transition strategy.
The correspondence group will present a report at the next session of the Facilitation Committee (FAL 50) in 2026, before a final submission is made at the Assembly session at the end of 2027.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasized the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies like AI and autonomous navigation while acknowledging the associated challenges, including cybersecurity risks and the global digital divide.
He stated: “The IMO’s digital transition strategy for the maritime sector is a game-changing effort to make seamless and intelligent maritime transport a reality. It will contribute to the integration of ships and ports, improve logistics, optimize routes, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We must work together to ensure that the strategy serves everyone.”
Advancing Digital Transition Initiatives
The strategy builds on previous steps, including the introduction of the mandatory Maritime Single Window (MSW) rule last year, which requires ships and ports to use a single digital platform for exchanging information and streamlining port call procedures.
The 49th session of the Facilitation Committee made progress on key digital initiatives, including:
- Update to the IMO Directory on the Simplification of Formalities and E-Commerce: A new version was approved, including additional data sets to improve the standardization and interoperability of maritime IT systems.
- Enhancements to the Maritime Single Window Guidelines: Amendments to the Guidelines for the establishment of a Maritime Single Window were approved to introduce verification features, reduce manual administrative burdens, and eliminate redundant checks performed by various authorities.
- Cybersecurity for Maritime Single Window: A new product was introduced to develop cybersecurity measures to safeguard maritime single windows and protect digital maritime operations from cyberattacks.
- Guidelines for Electronic Copies of Documents: Joint FAL-LEG-MEPC-MSC guidelines on electronic copies of documents were approved and submitted for simultaneous approval to the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection, Maritime Safety, and Legal Committees.
Contribution of Member States
The success of the IMO’s digital transition strategy will depend on the contributions of Member States and international organizations, particularly regarding safety and environmental protection. A detailed summary of the Facilitation Committee’s meeting will follow.
Source: imo
