News

VTS/SAR VHF Communications Induction Course

The IMO, in collaboration with IALA, conducted an induction course for six Ethiopian participants from the Ethiopian maritime authority and the Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Service Enterprise on VTS/SAR VHF communications. The Maritime Sciences and Technology Institute (MARSATI) in Lebanon is hosting this five-day course. Trainers from the Jovellanos Centre, part of the Spanish Maritime Safety and Rescue Agency, delivered lectures using a mobile VTS simulator.

As part of the Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy, IMO intends to support countries participating in the Red Sea Area in improving security and safety. Thus, a number of activities are being carried out under the EU-funded “Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area”. This training is the second activity organized jointly with IALA in favour of red sea participating countries. The third activity will take place in June 2023 for a group of beneficiaries from Yemen.

The training provided an opportunity to share best practices related to the safety of navigation, including the use of VTS, local port services, and aids to navigation.

20th IALA Conference 2023 -2nd Announcement

Read here the second announcement for the conference!

The early bird registration is extended to 14th February 2023! Register now.

Council 76

The 76th session of the Council meeting was held from 12 to 16 December 2022 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and by video conference. 32 new documents (recommendations, guidelines, and model courses) were approved as well as one workshop proposal and the budget for 2023.

As the president could not attend the meeting, the vice-president chaired session and brilliantly conducted this week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

After welcoming the new participants, each councilor reported on national matters. The Secretary General then briefed on the latest news about the secretariat. The Strategy and Policy section saw the validation of the Current Drivers and Trends and the Strategic Vision. A few more details were given about the transition period regarding the change of status. The treasurer went over the finance and audit committee report.

The technical documents were all approved and interesting discussions were prompted by VTS committee new documents. The revised standards were deemed ready to be submitted to the 14^th general assembly to be held on 3 June 2023. The Council gave approval to the election of Cap Spartel Lighthouse in Morocco as Lighthouse of the year 2023.

The Council endorsed new members and granted honorary membership to Barry Goldman.

The Council also approved the Terms of Reference for the newly established IALA Disaster Recovery Fund.

The full report is available at https://www.iala-aism.org/meetings/76/ All the documents will be made available at the beginning of the new year.

Furthermore, the Council was delighted to visit the facilities offered by the convention center selected to host the 20^th conference. The council congratulated the Brazilian navy for the arrangements made during the Council week and was very hopeful for a wonderful conference ahead.

Happy festive season!

IALA offices will be closed from 23 December 2022 to 1 January 2023. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!

WWA mission in Seychelles

The IALA World-Wide Academy conducted a mission in the Seychelles islands in September 2022. View the video to know more about this interesting project.

MCP Seminar

20th IALA Conference 2023 -1st announcement

https://iala-brazil2023.rio.br/home

Vacancy Notice

The IALA World-Wide Academy is looking for a new Education and Training Manager. Please see details of the offer below. The deadline for sending applications is extended to 15 August 2022.

Progress towards Intergovernmental status

Following the end of the signature period in January 2022, three more states have joined:  The Netherlands accepted the Convention on 25 April 2022 and the United Kingdom acceded to the Convention on 5 May 2022 and Canada ratified the Convention on 8 June 2022.

What is the process?

States that have signed the Convention are invited to transmit the instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval to France, the depositary State. All Member States of the United Nations that have not signed during the signature period, may accede to the Convention, which will enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the thirtieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

Workshop on S-100/S-200 development and portrayal

IALA, IHO and the Norwegian Coastal Administration are holding a workshop on S-100, S-200 development and portrayal from 5 to 9 September 2022 in Alesund, Norway.
The objective of the workshop is to:
Harmonize and open feedback channels between IHO and IALA regarding Product Specification requirements and development processes.
Share visions of the use of S-100 / S-200 among stakeholders.
Identify possible updates and recommend amendments to existing documents.
Provide clarity regarding the development of S-100 / S-200 based Product Specifications.

Flyer and Website

Council 75

the 75^th session of the IALA Council was successfully held at the Radisson Royal Collection Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark from 30 May to 3 June 2022.

This was the first face to face meeting of the Council since the outbreak of the Covid19 pandemic in 2020. All councilors were in attendance, including three who attended remotely.

The Council was updated about the planning of the change of status transition period, which is the period between the entry into force of the Convention and the first General Assembly of the new Organization.

The Council approved the revised budget for 2022 and noted the sound financial situation of the Association. The Council also approved changes to the Basic Documents.

Reports were given on the technical committees, the Industrial Members Committee, the planning of the 20^th Conference, and the progress and future actions of the World-Wide Academy and the World Marine Aids to Navigation Day to be celebrated 1 July in Bulgaria.

The Council approved the Homigot Lighthouse from the Republic of Korea as the Heritage Lighthouse of the Year 2022 together with some changes to the future selection process. As a consequence, the ENG committee will nominate the candidates for the Heritage Lighthouse of the Year 2023 at the upcoming ENG16 in October 2022. For more information, please refer to https://heritage.iala-aism.org/.

New and revised recommendations:

• R1023 Maritime Resource Names (MRN), Ed1.0, June 2022
• R0204 Marine signal lights – determination and calculation of effective intensity, Ed3.0, June 2022
• R0141 Training and certification of Marine Aids to Navigation personnel, Ed5.0, June 2022
• R0119 Establishment of a VTS Ed4.2, June 2022

New and revised guidelines:

• Revised Guideline G1018 on Risk management, Ed4.0, June 2022
• Revised Guideline G1123 on the use of the IALA Waterway risk assessment programme or IWRAP, Ed2.0, June 2022
• Revised Guideline G1124 on Ports and waterways safety assessment (PAWSA MK II), Ed2.0, June 2022
• Revised Guideline G1058 on The use of simulation as a tool for waterway design and AtoN planning, Ed3.0, June 2022
• Revised Guideline G1135 on Determination and calculation of effective intensity, Ed 3.0, June 2022
• Revised Guideline G1127 on Systems and services for high accuracy positioning and ranging, Ed2.0, June 2022
• Revised Guideline G1129 on the retransmission of SBAS corrections using MF-radio beacon and AIS, Ed 2.0, June 2022
• New Guideline G1147 on The use of enhanced radar positioning systems, Ed1.0, June 2022
• New Guideline G1168 on Quality control of third-party AtoN service providers, Ed1.0, June 2022
• New Guideline G1169 on Training and certification of marine Aids to Navigation personnel, Ed1.0, June 2022
• New Guideline G1170 on Solar modules for a marine environment, Ed1.0, June 2022
• Revised Guideline G1150 on Establishing planning and implementing a VTS, Ed3.0, June 2022
• New Guideline G1171 on Human factors and ergonomics in VTS, Ed1.0, June 2022

Revoked document

• Revoked G1097 on Technical Features and Technology Relevant for Simulation of AtoN, Ed1.0

Visit from the Embassy of Denmark

On 9 June 2022, IALA had the honor of welcoming the Ambassador, Michael Starbæk Christensen, Brigadier General Prince Joachim and Commander sg. Denis Armand Vad from the Danish embassy. Denmark was one of the first States to sign the IALA convention, and it was a pleasure to brief the delegation about the bright future of the association. 

Denmark joined IALA from the inception of the organization in 1957 and immediately became one the most active members at the forefront of many initiatives and projects. It was depositary of the “Agreement on the implementation of the Maritime Buoyage System A” which was signed in Copenhagen on 16 March 1977. During the drafting process, Denmark played a major role in the Technical Committee on the “Unification of the Buoyage Systems”. Denmark’s first election to Council was in 1980 and they have always been reelected since then.  Denmark has hosted several IALA Meetings like ENAV and VTS committee, LAP and Council. The IALA Council has also appointed two Secretary-Generals from Denmark since 1994.