Moran Shipping Agencies, INC.  E-NOA/D News Release - May 11,2005

As we have reported, the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection on April 7, 2005 announced the publication of CBP Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) Final Rule in the Federal Register.  The Final Rule requires the carrier industry to submit APIS data in an electronic interchange approved by CBP, which will act as the single-portal for US Government reporting purposes.  It is envisioned that this regulation will ensure efficiency in data transmission while at the same time avoid duplication of notification to US Agencies. This new electronic notification requirement becomes effective 60 days from April 7: or on June 6, 2005. 

Since the final ruling, Moran Shipping has been working closely with US Coast Guard and CBP officials overseeing this program in order to address concerns expressed by the industry relative to perceived ambiguity in the regulations as well as to identify the most efficient and cost effective use of technology to meet these new requirements.  The Government has confirmed that there are three methods allowed for the transmission of data:

Option 1. Submit data online using the e-NOA/D web based application portal.
Option 2. Submit data via e-mail using the e-NOA/D Microsoft InfoPath 2003 template.
Option 3. Download from the NVMC website the required "XML" scheme and develop a program that can be used to submit the required data in an "XML” format.

Over the last few weeks Moran’s Electronic Data Entry Department has evaluated the above options and hereby presents the following observations:

Option 1) Moran has setup an online account with the e-NOA/D web based application.  The account setup process is easy and the program is well designed, providing an intuitive graphic user interface.  Voyage information can be saved online on US Government servers making it easy to “cut and paste” existing info from past voyages to new entries, cutting down on input time and reducing errors.  For companies with cost-effective internet connectivity this is an excellent solution.

Option 2) Moran has downloaded the e-NOA/D MS InfoPath template.  The template is well designed and easy to use. It can be saved to the desktop which lends itself to saving previous voyages/manifest data etc, thus once again eliminating the need to retype information which has not changed since previous voyages. The template can be easily emailed to the US Government to meet the requirement.  We sent the InfoPath template to several vessels with different email systems for testing purposes and found no instances of incompatibility with the xml format.  In our view this method does an excellent job in replicating the current MS Excel NOA attachment and provides an exceptional solution for carriers who use their ship captains to send the information by email attachment.

Option 3) The xml schema provided by the government will allow companies any information they need to provide propriety xml solutions.

Recommendations:

We note that in most cases it has become standard operating procedure for the vessel to assume the primary responsibility of sending the 96 hr NOA.  Good agents will oversee this process and verify completion/compliance.   We feel it is in the best interest of the carrier to continue to use ship email/online services to meet these new requirements: Due to online costs, we recommend vessels use option 2: the use of the Microsoft Office product InfoPath.  In essence, this process will completely replicate what vessels are currently doing, except rather than using a Microsoft Excel attachment; the vessel will use another MS product in the MS Office suite – MS InfoPath to send an xml attachment. The template provided by the US Government is easy to use and will include all fields relevant to satisfying both the 96 hrs advance notification as well as the new APIS e-requirements. There is no good conversion process from MS Excel, in fact, the InfoPath template is the better input solution and is designed precisely for this type of data transfer.  Simply stated, the best conversion/solution is to purchase InfoPath and rely on the US Government template programming.  It should be noted that while the June 6^th deadline only includes APIS manifest requirements, the 96 hrs notification through MS Excel will be fazed out at a date to be announced.

As noted InfoPath is a member of the MS office suite (i.e.  word, excel, etc.) If necessary it can be purchased as a stand alone product for approximately $200.00 from Microsoft.  http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX010857921033.aspx

Moran Shipping’s Electronic Data Entry Department (EDED) can assist clients who require further support during this transition.  For companies who may have difficulty meeting the proposed deadline, our EDED program can provide e-submission services during the transition, inclusive of all new arrival and departure requirements relative to APIS. For more information please write to enoad@moranshipping.com.