Two years after Maritime Single Windows became mandatory, the IMO is surveying shipowners, ship managers and port stakeholders on how the systems are working in practice. The findings could shape future support for digital port processes and information exchange.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is asking shipowners, ship managers and other maritime stakeholders to report their experience with Maritime Single Windows (MSWs), as the organisation assesses how the digital systems are being used two years after their mandatory introduction.
The global survey is open until 31 October 2026 and covers organisations involved in the exchange of information during port calls, including shipping companies, ship agents, port authorities, terminal operators, customs agencies and port community system operators.
Under the IMO Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention), use of an MSW became mandatory on 1 January 2024. The systems provide a single electronic entry point through which information required for a vessel’s arrival, stay and departure can be submitted and shared with the relevant authorities.
For shipowners and ship managers, the practical issue is how well that digital exchange works across different ports and authorities.
The IMO says the survey will provide a clearer picture of implementation across countries, while identifying implementation gaps, good practices and capacity-building needs. It also forms part of the organisation’s technical cooperation work supporting Member States with FAL Convention implementation and maritime digitalisation.
The impact of MSWs is particularly relevant to vessel operators managing repeated port calls across different jurisdictions. A system that allows information to be submitted once and shared with multiple authorities can reduce duplicated administrative work and support smoother port operations.
The IMO plans a follow-up survey in 2028, which will examine progress since 2026 and assess the impact of MSWs on users’ workload and operational efficiency.
The current survey provides an opportunity to report where digital port processes are working well and where operational difficulties remain.
The survey is open to organisations and individuals involved in maritime information exchange until 31 October 2026.
