BUREAU VERITAS HIGHLIGHTS MARITIME SINGLE WINDOW AND HARMONIZED STANDARDS AT AFRICA CEO FORUM IN KIGALI

Maritime Single Window: A Technological Revolution

During the roundtable on "Preparing African Ports for the Maritime Single Window," Stephane Gaudechon, Vice President, Government Services at Bureau Veritas underscored the importance of this digital platform, which became mandatory in 2024 for every coastline member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Mr. Gaudechon highlighted that the Maritime Single Window is designed to streamline communication between vessels and maritime authorities, facilitating seamless interactions concerning a vessel's arrival, stay, and departure from ports. By integrating various reporting and clearance processes into a single digital interface, the Maritime Single Window aims to significantly reduce administrative burdens, enhance efficiency, and promote transparency within the maritime sector.

Drawing on Bureau Veritas's experience and expertise in maritime solutions, Mr. Gaudechon underscored the company's leadership in developing and implementing cutting-edge technologies that drive industry growth. The Maritime Single Window is a key component of Bureau Veritas's innovative portfolio, offering a solution that aligns with global digitalization trends and regulatory requirements. Mr. Gaudechon described the platform as not just a regulatory compliance tool, but a strategic enabler of growth for maritime economies, capable of accelerating economic growth and operational efficiency across the maritime industry.

Harmonizing Standards: Paving the Way for Booming Intra-Africa Trade

In another strategic roundtable, moderated by Mr. Bertrand Martin, Senior Vice President (SVP) for Bureau Veritas Africa, where the discussion focused on "Harmonizing Standards: Paving the Way for Booming Intra-Africa Trade." Key takeaways included the crucial role of standard harmonization in the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Harmonizing standards is essential for promoting internal trade, fostering industrialization in Africa, and protecting against non-compliant, sub-standard imports. Achieving this requires defining essential products and services, along with their associated norms and technical rules. Aligning national standards with those of the African Regional Standardization Organization (ARSO) is also vital. Additionally, third-party inspection companies like Bureau Veritas can assist with the verification of product conformity, ensuring compliance and enhancing Africa's visibility and attractiveness for trade.

BV e-Gov Solutions: Driving the Future

The implementation of the Maritime Single Window is a game changer and accelerator of growth that is part of Bureau Veritas's broader e-Gov Solutions suite, which is designed to address various challenges faced by the maritime sector. “Launching the BV-eGov to concentrate our knowledge of government services aligns with our new strategy LEAP28 to digitalize services to shaping a new future for Africa” says Stephane Gaudechon. This encompasses a range of innovative products and services aimed at enhancing digital connectivity, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance for maritime stakeholders.

As the maritime industry implements the mandatory adoption of the Maritime Single Window in 2024, Bureau Veritas is at the forefront of this technological revolution. The insights shared by Stephane Gaudechon during the roundtable discussion at the Africa CEO Forum underscore the critical importance of digital platforms in driving the future of maritime operations. Through its e-Gov solutions, Bureau Veritas continues to lead the way in delivering innovative, efficient, and growth-oriented technologies for the global maritime community. The discussions on harmonizing standards further highlight Bureau Veritas's commitment to fostering a robust and integrated trade environment across Africa, supporting customers and governments in ensuring compliance to standard and supporting a competitive and attractive Africa for global trade.