Porto do Lobito on a trade Facilitation platform
The Lobito Port Company officially joined the Single Window for Trade Facilitation (SWIFT) on Monday, November 20th, by signing a protocol with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
This step integrates the Angolan company into a global platform for the sector, ushering in the era of the “paperless port” concept.
This accession means that the Lobito Port Company will now operate within a platform shared by global port authorities and companies.
This electronic interaction streamlines the process, allowing for a single declaration of necessary information for ship docking, as described by Celso Rosas, President of the Board of Directors of Porto do Lobito.
Rosas highlighted the benefits of this agreement, emphasizing reduced docking times, cost savings, increased port capacity, and enhanced competitiveness in international trade.
Furthermore, the electronic sharing of information not only simplifies procedures but also aids in controlling goods, contributing significantly to the combat against tax evasion and fraud, Rosas added.
Martina Fontenet, the technical officer of the IMO Facilitation Section, noted that trial runs of the system, known as JUP, have been conducted at the Port of Lobito.
No anomalies were detected during these tests, indicating the successful implementation of the project. Fontenet underscored the project’s objective: to streamline bureaucracy and simplify port procedures, highlighting the promising future that lies ahead.
