Message from the Secretary-General
Welcome to another edition of the IALA e-Bulletin.
Council 03; a grand event
As I write we in the IALA Secretariat have recently returned from a highly successful Council 03 held in Mumbai from 8 to 12 December.
This grand event was hosted by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, India. Twenty-five Council members attended with Observers and proceedings were formally commenced by the Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The Minister regarded this as a proud moment for India to host key representatives from across the world in their efforts to ensure the future of maritime safety.
He emphasised that India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is undertaking extensive measures to modernise India’s maritime infrastructure. This effort will bring together seafaring traditions over many centuries together with today’s advanced technologies.
Highlighting the fact that global maritime operations are now moving towards autonomous shipping, digital navigation systems, and logically advanced traffic management, the Minister emphasised IALA’s role to foster coordination and harmonisation among its membership. He added that this role will become increasingly significant.
The minister continued by emphasising India’s commitment to supporting the IALA vision of ensuring safe seas and resilient navigation.
Clearly our gathering in Mumbai marked a major milestone for India’s maritime administration as it positions itself as a key contributor in shaping modern navigational policies at an international level.
It is a pleasure to report that plans are well advanced for the 21st IALA Conference to be held in Mumbai in September 2027.
Reflection
There is no doubt that 2025 has been an eventful and most fruitful year for IALA starting with the General Assembly and first Council meeting of the new IGO held in Singapore in January.
World-Wide Academy and other events
Down the months the Secretariat and the Academy have been extremely busy.
Since the last issue of the e-Bulletin we have seen the International Mobile Telecommunications presentation relative to aids to navigation. This was held in Karlsruhe in September with successful attendance.
The following month under the able hosting of the Commissioners of Irish Lights we saw the highly successful event in Dublin regarding Sustainability in Aids to Navigation Provision, another highly successful and well-attended gathering on a topic that affects us all.
Throughout October we provided a technical needs assessment mission to Kenya and this was well-received.
November saw an IALA delegation in Paramaribo, Suriname, in an effort to strengthen maritime cooperation in the Americas. The same month we completed teaching the model course for marine aids to navigation managers in Kolkata.
Early this month (December) we were able to assist IMO and IHO in organising a workshop on S-100 products for e-navigation held in Türkmenbaşy, Turkmenistan, from 3 to 5 December. Eighteen representatives from maritime administrations and hydrographic offices attended the event from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye and Turkmenistan. Participants shared updates on the status of the hydrographic, navigational and metrological services in their administrations. They discussed how to address the gaps between current capabilities and forthcoming requirements by supporting the production, dissemination, and management of S-100-compliant navigational data services and products.
Forthcoming events
Looking ahead to early 2026 I remind you that from 12-16 January we will hold a workshop on Efficient Procurement for Marine Aids to Navigation in Bathurst, The Gambia. Here is an opportunity for Members States in West and Central Africa to improve the skills of their aids to navigation staff.
The following month, from 9-13 February the Northern Lighthouse Board will host an event on the future of Radionavigation and Radiocommunications in Edinburgh.
From 23 to 27 February, an AtoN Product Specifications – S-201 Data Production Training will be held at IALA Headquarters.
In March, from 9 to 13, the benefits of the IALA Risk Management tool will be presented to interested parties in Panama.
The Digital@Sea International Seminar is scheduled from 17 to19 March at IALA Headquarters.
Keep an eye on the website
Before I close I urge our world-wide membership to continue supporting the IALA e-Bulletin by sending news of your activities. At the same time you need to be aware of our announcements made when we issue new publications whose listing is to be found on the website. You will also see advanced notice of forthcoming events.
Seasonal greetings
Finally, on behalf of the Secretariat I send to our global membership every good wish for the forthcoming Festive Season and 2026.
Francis Zachariae, IALA Secretary-General.
