Workshop in Beirut on Implementing the Maritime Single Window in Lebanon

The General Directorate of Land and Sea Transport, in cooperation with the Maritime Science and Technology Institute (MARSATI) and HTech company, organized a workshop titled "Introduction to the Maritime Single Window in Lebanon" at the Radisson Blu Martinez Hotel in Beirut. The event was attended by representatives from ministries, administrations, public institutions, and stakeholders in the maritime and port sectors.

This workshop comes within the framework of efforts to complete the necessary requirements for implementing the Maritime Single Window (MSW) in Lebanon, in accordance with the provisions of the 1965 International Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention) and its amendments, aligning with the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regarding the electronic exchange of information related to ships' arrival, stay, and departure at ports.

The workshop aimed to familiarize participants with the concept of the Maritime Single Window, its importance, and international requirements, as an electronic platform that allows the submission and exchange of required data and documents from various concerned entities through a single entry point. This contributes to simplifying administrative procedures, reducing duplication of information submission, enhancing coordination between competent authorities, and improving the efficiency of port services.

The workshop program included introductory presentations, interactive discussions, and practical exercises covering FAL Convention requirements, the mechanism of the Maritime Single Window, information exchange between concerned entities, as well as regulatory and legal aspects, data governance, cybersecurity, and challenges associated with implementation stages.

In this context, the Director General of Land and Sea Transport, Brigadier General Mazen Basbous, affirmed that "the implementation of the Maritime Single Window constitutes a fundamental step in the path of modernizing Lebanese maritime administration and developing services provided to ships and port operators, especially in light of the international trend towards digitizing procedures and facilitating maritime trade movement."

He added: "The success of this project is not limited to adopting an electronic platform; it requires the integration of efforts among ministries, administrations, and concerned entities, and establishing a clear framework for distributing responsibilities and exchanging information, while preserving the legal powers of each entity and ensuring the effectiveness and transparency of procedures. The General Directorate is working to prepare the necessary regulatory and administrative requirements to move forward on this path, which enhances Lebanon's compliance with its international commitments and contributes to raising the efficiency and competitiveness of its ports."

For his part, the Director of the Maritime Science and Technology Institute (MARSATI), Estephan Assal, stressed "the importance of building human and institutional capacities to keep pace with the digital transformation in the maritime sector," noting that "this workshop falls within the institute's role in supporting the General Directorate of Land and Sea Transport and developing the competencies of workers in the sector, through specialized training programs that combine international requirements and practical applications."

He added: "Transitioning to the Maritime Single Window requires more than just developing technical systems; it necessitates qualifying users in various administrations and institutions, and enhancing their understanding of new procedures, data exchange mechanisms, and protection. Hence, the institute attaches special importance to organizing targeted training programs for each entity according to the nature of its tasks and responsibilities, ensuring effective use of the platform upon its adoption."