Facilitation Committee (FAL): undertakes matters relating to the facilitation of international maritime traffic including the arrival, stay and departure of not only a ship but also persons and its cargo to and from ports. Different requirements for one port to another has created potential threats to the safety of lives, and an internationally standardised system and smooth and accurate communications between ship to ship, ship to port and port to port are critical. Facilitation Convention (FAL Convention) aims to streamline the smooth information exchange by providing mandatory standards for ships, crew and ports.
Since the introduction of advancement of information and communication technology (ICT) and the rapid movement toward single window digitalisation to the maritime industry, the role of maritime workers in such communication loops has become more and more critical. Concurrently, the expectation put on maritime workers’ capabilities of dealing with such advancement is increasing.
The ITF ensures regulations are made to reduce administrative burdens, secure personal information and also to ensure maritime workers are fully supported and protected with appropriate and timely information and education and training.