IMO Single Window Survey Closes 31 October: Who Should Respond

IMO Seeks Feedback on Maritime Single Window Rollout

A global survey by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on how Maritime Single Window (MSW) systems are being implemented and used closes on 31 October 2026. The survey was launched in September; according to a report by Marine Insight published on 22 September, it invites organizations and individuals involved in maritime information exchange to share their experiences with these digital platforms.

What Is a Maritime Single Window?

An MSW is a centralised digital platform that allows ships and government agencies to exchange information during port calls through a single electronic entry point. Rather than submitting the same data repeatedly to different authorities, ships can submit information once, with it then shared among relevant agencies. This is intended to cut administrative burden and improve efficiency and transparency around port operations.

Use of MSWs became mandatory under the IMO’s Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention) as of 1 January 2024.

Purpose of the Survey

With the mandate now two years into force, the survey is designed to build a clearer picture of how countries are using MSWs in practice. IMO says the results will help identify implementation challenges, highlight good practices, and pinpoint capacity-building needs, supporting member states as they continue modernizing maritime transport procedures. The exercise is part of IMO’s broader technical cooperation work to help states implement the FAL Convention and advance digitalization.

Who Can Take Part

IMO is inviting responses from a wide range of stakeholders, including maritime administrations, port authorities, customs and border control agencies, port community system operators, shipping companies, ship agents, terminal operators, and freight forwarders — essentially any organization using MSW systems.

A follow-up survey is planned for 2028 to track progress since 2026 and to measure the impact of MSWs on users’ workload and operational efficiency.

Deadline

The current survey remains open until 31 October 2026. IMO has encouraged all stakeholders involved in maritime information exchange to participate, saying the feedback will help shape future support and the continued development of MSW systems worldwide.

Apeks view — This is a useful exercise: instead of assuming Single Window adoption is working, IMO is asking users directly and building a 2028 baseline to measure real progress. That evidence-gathering discipline is the right instinct — digitalisation mandates only deliver value if operators’ actual experience is tracked, not assumed. For owners and managers, the practical takeaway is simple: participate, since the survey results will shape which capacity-building support and system fixes actually materialize.