IMO encourages Guinea-Bissau to digitize its shipping industry

A needs assessment team carried out a mission in Guinea-Bissau, laying the groundwork for the country to set up a maritime single window system in the Port of Bissau. The Maritime Single Window is a one-stop digital platform for information exchange among different stakeholders and agencies involved in clearing the arrival, stay and departure of ships. Having a single “window” for information exchange streamlines procedures and saves time and costs.

Since 1 January 2024, it has been mandatory for all International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member States to establish maritime single window systems in ports to enhance the efficiency of shipping worldwide. The needs assessment mission took place from 5 to 6 May 2025, conducted by IMO consultants in collaboration with the Port of Bissau, relevant Ministries, public agencies, including customs and border agencies, and other stakeholders. The mission concluded with a meeting with all stakeholders to validate the findings. A detailed report from the mission will serve as the basis for further actions in the development of the maritime single window in Guinea-Bissau.

This includes findings and analyses carried out for the deployment of a maritime single window, in accordance with IMO principles and guidance, as well as the development of related IT tools which interact with the maritime single window. The report will include recommendations resulting from the analysis by the IMO consultants, and a pre- and post-activity survey to evaluate the stakeholder awareness of the technical and operational requirements of the MSW. This activity was delivered through IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) with the collaboration of the Instituto Marítimo e Portuário da Guiné-Bissau. Last month, the IMO approved draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, introducing an updated net-zero framework to cut international shipping emissions to net-zero by 2050.