“Mandatory requirements for the electronic exchange of information on cargo, crew and passengers have been adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), as part of a revised annex to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL).
“The IMO has said the change will help make procedures for a ship’s arrival, stay and departure from port easier once the FAL takes effect on January 1, 2018.”
This should of course facilitate commerce, but it is also an important part of the Maritime Domain Awareness System.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 