Use of UN/LOCODE by IMO

UN/LOCODE Advisory Group Meeting 2018

Hangzhou, China

Gangcan Rao
International Maritime Organization

MSAIS
Contents

• Use of UN/LOCODE by IMO

• Updating of changes in UN/LOCODE

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GISIS: Global Integrated Shipping Information System

An in-house information and data management system

FOR A tool to fulfil their reporting

MEMBER
STATES
obligations in the implementation of
IMO instruments.

A tool to give access to, and circulate,

FOR THE
SECRETARIAT data reported to, or compiled by, the
Secretariat.

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GISIS: Global Integrated Shipping Information System
• Member have their own set of
users:

• New users created/removed at

any time
• Specific permissions for each
user

• Access rights of IGOs and NGOs

• Public access through registration

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GISIS: Global Integrated Shipping Information System

Secretariat’s validation
Member State Data ( UN agreed terminologies,
GISIS
personal data protection…)
Or agreement by relevant
IMO bodies

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UN/LOCODEs in GISIS
• Use of UN/LOCODEs in GISIS modules:

• Maritime Security (Port Facilities),

• Port Reception Facilities,
• Port State Control,
• Piracy and Armed Robbery,
• Stowaways and Illegal Migrants,
• MARPOL Annex VI,
• LRIT Data Distribution Plan,
• Port State Control.

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Updating UN/LOCODEs in GISIS
• Dependencies & References in GISIS modules

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IMO Port Facility Numbers
Port Facility -International Ship & Port Facility Security Code (ISPS
Code):

“A location, as determined by the Contracting Government or by the

Designated Authority, where the ship/port interface takes place.
This includes areas such as anchorages, waiting berths and
approaches from seaward, as appropriate.”
as appropriate”
One UN/LOCODE Port 
Many Port Facilities

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IMO Port Facility Numbers
• Unique “IMO Port facility numbers” generated for each port facility
using the UN/LOCODE of the port:

GBLON – 0145 (London Container Terminal)

Five-character UN/LOCODE 4-digit code separated with a dash

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Updating UN/LOCODEs in GISIS
• No automated update procedure for the new UN/LOCODE
releases

• Update based on the request of IMO Member States

• if the request is in line with the latest UN/LOCODE release, it is

applied,

• if the requested is not in line with the latest UN/LOCODE release,

Member States are guided to update their port list in UN/LOCODE,
before applying the update in GISIS,

• update required in GISIS at a short timescale

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Challenges and Conclusion

• Divergence between the latest UN/LOCODE release and the

list of ports used in GISIS

• A clean-up process is required at IMO

• Consequences of the changes in UN/LOCODE should be

considered carefully

• Automatic updating of changes in UN/LOCODE (Data

synchronization of the UN/LOCODE in GISIS)

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Questions

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