What is the scope of the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic?

The Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (also known as FAL Convention) is a United Nations treaty that addresses the need for efficient and secure international maritime traffic. This Convention is important to the international maritime community as it provides a framework for governments to facilitate the free flow of goods, ships and personnel by harmonizing maritime regulations, procedures and formalities, and eliminating unnecessary delay. The FAL Convention applies to those transactions and activities directly related to the international movement of ships, their crew and passengers, goods, and cargo. This includes, but is not limited to, activity such as arrivals and departures, loading and unloading of goods and passengers, navigation, and vessel vetting. The Convention also sets minimum standards for standardized declarations and documents in order to reduce discrepancies between different government regulations and requirements. The FAL Convention is applicable to all vessels that operate in the waters of contracting countries and to vessels of any size and type. It applies to both civilian and military vessels, including ships under the jurisdiction of state-owned companies. It is important to note that the FAL Convention does not supersede any national laws or regulations within signatory countries - its purpose is to complement and supplement such laws and regulations. In California, the application of the FAL Convention is governed by the California International Navigation Act, which requires all vessels entering the state’s waters to comply with the FAL Convention’s requirements. This applies to any vessel entering California waters regardless of its size and type.

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What is the scope of the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic?

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