The 50th session of FAL was held from March 23rd to 27th, 2026, at IMO Headquarters in London. The meeting highlights are as follows:

1. Agree to develop a new maritime digitalization strategy and prepare a draft for approval and endorsement by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC), and the Legal Committee (LEG).

The Correspondence Group was also instructed to assess whether and how the Strategy aligns with the Revised Strategic Plan for the Organization (2024-2029), including reviewing the necessity for relevant amendments or integration with existing strategic directions. The Group will submit its report to FAL 51.

Furthermore, FAL 50 agreed to recommend the establishment of a Correspondence Group to formulate a roadmap for the development of the "Maritime Cyber Code," define its scope of application, and initiate the drafting of the Code. The Correspondence Group is expected to be established following Council approval at its 137th session (C 137) in July 2026 and will submit its report to FAL 51. Subject to the approval of C 137, an Intersessional Working Group is expected to be established in 2027 to accelerate the development process of the Maritime Cyber Code.

Furthermore, the Committee agreed to continue work on the high-level business process flows and descriptions for the IMO data sets and re-established the Correspondence Group to report to FAL 51. Additionally, the Committee reported on the establishment of the IMO Compendium Code List Platform and invited Member States to conduct testing and provide feedback.

4. Approved the resolution of the amendment to the FAL Convention, the content are related to public health, which may enter into force in 2028. 
(1) Public health and quarantine
To align with the amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) adopted through World Health Assembly resolution WHA77.17 (2024), the Committee adopted a resolution to amend Recommended Practice 6.24 (Note 2) in the Annex to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention). The amendments relate to measures to facilitate crew changes, provide vaccinations, and ensure access to medical care during a public health emergency of international concern, and are expected to enter into force on January 1st, 2028.
(2) Advance Passenger Information (API)/Booking and Reservation Information (BRI)
To enhance the effectiveness of border control and operational efficiency, last year, FAL 49 agreed in principle to introduce the Advance Passenger Information (API) into the FAL convention, aiming to strengthen the management of crew and passenger information. However, there are still some implementation issues that need to be addressed, particularly regarding the impact of replacing IMO FAL Form 5 (Crew List) and Form 6 (Passenger List) with an API, and whether the provision of an API should be mandatory. 
The discussions are progressing, and FAL 50 has approved a draft resolution on the collection of API and BRI. This draft will be submitted to the next meeting (FAL 51) for adoption, with an expected entry into force date of January 1st, 2029. The current plan is to incorporate API as a new standard, though the decision to collect API data will remain at the discretion of individual Member States. Furthermore, Booking and Reservation Information/Passenger Name Record (BRI/PNR) will be introduced as a recommended practice, with implementation at the discretion of Contracting Governments. To support this flexible framework, a new standard has been drafted stipulating that public authorities should not require the transmission of a Crew List or Passenger List if an API declaration has already been requested. 
(3) Mandatory requirement for cybersecurity in Maritime Single Windows 
When a ship’s arrival at or departure from a port, the port authorities may require the submission of various declarations (Resolution FAL.14(46)). Since 2024, these declarations have been transmitted through a standardized and harmonized electronic environment (portal) known as a "Single Window" (FAL.5/Circ.42/Rev.4). Given the high sensitivity of this information, the risk of cyberattacks has become a matter of significant concern. 
The Committee approved a draft resolution to amend the FAL Convention by adding a new Standard 1.4 to establish a framework for mandatory cybersecurity measures to safeguard Maritime Single Windows, with adoption expected at FAL 51. This amendment requires Contracting Governments to implement mandatory cybersecurity measures to protect their Maritime Single Windows in accordance with their national legislation. The amendment will be submitted for adoption at the next session (FAL 51) and is expected to enter into force on January 1, 2029.
FAL 50 agreed to commence follow-up work on amending the Annex to the FAL Convention, using the entry into force date of the International Health Regulations amendments as a benchmark. This item will be included in the FAL 51 agenda, with a target completion date in 2027.
Additionally, FAL 50 considered a resolution intended for the ILO's Special Tripartite Committee (STC 5), reflecting amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, and their potential impact on shore leave regulations within the FAL Convention. FAL 50 also recommended that Member States submit proposals for a new output on this matter.