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Turkmenistan, with the support of the International Maritime Organization, is preparing to join the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL).

The FAL Convention is a global treaty aimed at achieving the highest possible efficiency in international maritime transport with unimpeded transit of ships, cargo and passengers in ports. The treaty contains standards, rules and recommended practices to simplify procedures related to the arrival, mooring and departure of ships in ports.

A national seminar on facilitation of maritime traffic was held in Avaza, Turkmenbashi, on October 1-3. The port of Turkmenbashi is the largest cargo and passenger port in the country, as well as a regional maritime hub with an annual total throughput of 17 million tons of cargo, including 300,000 passengers and 75,000 vehicles.

Organized at the request of the government, the workshop brought together national ministries and agencies responsible for the clearance of ships, cargo, crew and passengers at the port of Turkmenbashi. The workshop provided important information and guidance on the latest changes to the FAL Convention, which entered into force on January 1, 2024.

This includes rules for the use of the Maritime Single Window systems, which are now required of all International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states. The Maritime Single Window is a one-stop digital platform through which various agencies can share and exchange information needed for fast and efficient procedures for the arrival, stay and departure of ships.

The seminar participants received recommendations on the benefits of using a maritime single window and electronic data exchange to simplify customs clearance of vessels in the Turkmen port. This will become mandatory after joining the FAL Convention.

The event was organized within the framework of the IMO Integrated Technical Cooperation Program and hosted by the Agency of Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan.

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Photo: port.com.tm