Conference

Also here is the call for abstracts for the 21^st  IALA conference to be held from 8 to 12 November 2027 in Mumbai, India https://www.iala.int/content/uploads/2026/01/CL2026-06-Call-for-abstracts-21st-IALA-Conference-2027.pdf

The theme for the conference is Marine Aids to Navigation for Successful Voyages and a Sustainable Planet. The Circular Letter informs how abstracts should be submitted, the deadline for which is 31 August 2026.  You will also see the list of proposed topics from which abstracts will be chosen.

This ranges from Information Services to Aids to Navigation Planning and Service Requirements by way of Training and Certification, Radionavigation Services and much more totalling thirty-five topics in all. A broad range indeed.

We look forward to a good response to make the conference in India a splendid example of international cooperation and as the months go by we will keep you up to date on progress.

GNSS interference

The coastal States of the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and Iceland have expressed concern over the growing risks to maritime safety over growing GNSS interference in European waters, particularly in the Baltic Sea region.

These disturbances degrade the safety of international shipping. At the same time the integrity of the automatic identification system (AIS), which plays a key role in traffic coordination, has encountered the falsification of AIS data. This action

undermines maritime safety and security and increases the risk of accidents as well as severely hampering rescue operations.

The coastal States issued an open letter to the international maritime community drawing attention to these shortcomings and particularly encouraging those responsible for shipping to ensure that vessels have adequate capabilities and properly trained crews to operate during navigation system outages.

In addition States have been encouraged to develop alternative terrestrial navigation systems which may be used in place of GNSS in the event of disruption, loss of signal or interference.

The three-page Open Letter is available on the Danish Maritime Authority’s website here and I urge readers to read it and circulate it.:

https://www.dma.dk/Media/639050105465966294/NB8%20Open%20Letter%20FI_FINAL0.pdf

The international workshop held 9–13 February 2026 in Edinburgh (hosted by the Northern Lighthouse Board) on the future of maritime Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) and radiocommunication highlighted urgent operational priorities around resilience, interoperability, and trust, driven by increasing GNSS disruption (spoofing/jamming) and AIS manipulation. Key priorities include harmonized GNSS interference detection/reporting, stronger AIS authentication/message integrity, and continued reliance on physical aids to navigation. The workshop also calls for advances in radiocommunication such as automated ship–shore interference reporting, standardized machine-readable formats aligned with IMO frameworks, VDES as a resilient pathway, robust authentication across digital services, and notes MQTT as a promising lightweight protocol. Strategic takeaways stress adopting modern IMT technologies now, closing gaps in global interference reporting standards, coordinating terrestrial radionavigation interoperability, and integrating resilient PNT into e‑navigation, with outcomes feeding updates to major IALA manuals and guidance.

Communication

Once again I urge all our readers to keep in touch with IALA by the website https://www.iala.int/

Through the website you can be informed of forthcoming meetings, new publications, our news   and, of course, the e-Bulletin which continues to be of value in spreading the word.

Looking ahead

In the months ahead we look forward to hearing of progress with a Master of Marine Aids to Navigation Management course to be held in Istanbul from 6 to 10 April.  

The following month will see IALA Risk Management Tool Training in Casablanca (18 to 22 May).

There will be a seminar on experiences and challenges of daily VTS operations in Gijon, Spain from 2 to 4 June and the Council 04 will be held here in HQ, France from 8 to 12 June.

We shall celebrate World Marine Aids to Navigation Day around the world on 1 July and the main event for WATON Day 2026 will be held on 8 and 9 July in Busan, ROK.

In conclusion let us not forget our mantra Successful Voyages, Sustainable Planet which reflects our commitment to promoting maritime safety and environmental protection.

With all good wishes for your missions ahead, I expect we will meet again soon.

Francis Zachariae, IALA Secretary-General.

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Start the revision

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Continue the revision

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Continue the Revision

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Continue the development of the draft guideline

The post VTS Intersessional on Task 3.1.1 Guidance for mental health in VTS appeared first on IALA.

This document brings together a series of practical use cases for VTS Digital Communication. It is intended as a shared reference point for the VTS Committee, providing examples of how digital communication can be applied in real scenarios and where it can add value.

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The seminar provides an opportunity for participants to discuss techniques, issues, and developments of shared interest across the global VTS community. By bringing operational staff and technical specialists into the same space, it will help build a clearer picture of the real challenges faced within daily VTS operations.

A key purpose of the seminar is to gather first‑hand perspectives that will inform the future work of the IALA VTS Committee. Insights collected during the event will support the identification of new work items and shape the next Work Programme, ensuring that IALA documentation continues to reflect operational realities and evolving needs.

Whether you work as an operator or supervisor this seminar offers a valuable chance to contribute your experience, learn from colleagues and help guide the future development of VTS guidance and best practice.

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