Annual Report

It gives me much pleasure to tell you that our Annual Report for the year 2025 is now available on the IALA website here: https://www.iala.int/content/uploads/2026/06/ANNUAL-REPORT-2025-Web.pdf

Through this Annual Report the organization is introduced with an overview and an outline of the membership. This is followed by how governance is undertaken with the various bodies within such as the General Assembly, the Council, the groups for Finance, Policy, Legal affairs and, of course, the technical committees. This was followed by a reminder of the year’s highlights and our finance.

I urge Members to circulate the Annual Report widely to your stakeholders and others as you are able in an effort to spread the word as to what IALA is and what it does in keeping the world’s oceans and waterways safe from hazards and the marine environment clean and pure.

Council

At the time of writing we have successfully convened the fourth meeting of the IALA Council (Council 04) where we were able to welcome some new members and to hear what councillors have achieved since we last met. At the same time issue of new technical publications was approved and we were brought up to date on plans for the 21^st IALA Conference.

21^st IALA Conference: call for abstracts

We have published the call for abstracts for the 21^st  IALA conference to be held from 8 to 12 November 2027 in Mumbai, India. https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/auth?redirect=/stages/80499/submitter

Conference theme

The theme for the conference is Marine Aids to Navigation for Successful Voyages and a Sustainable Planet.

Conference abstracts: Deadline for submission

Our invitation advises how abstracts should be submitted, the deadline for which is 31 August 2026.  The list of proposed topics from which abstracts and ultimately papers will be chosen 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.

Looking ahead

Third Latin America Regional Seminar on aids to navigation

The Secretaría de Marina, through the National Maritime Authority of Mexico, will host this event in Veracruz, Mexico, from 14 to 17 July. This four‑day regional event will bring together experts and authorities to examine current and emerging issues in marine aids to navigation, including national AtoN challenges, digital maritime services, S‑100/S‑200 product specifications, resilient PNT, and developments in AtoN and VTS digitalization. The programme also includes a technical visit in support of regional knowledge‑sharing and cooperation.

S-100/200 development

We look forward to hearing of progress with the third joint workshop on S-100/200 development and portrayal to be held in Istanbul from 1 to 4 September. This is being organized with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in association with the Turkish Directorate General of Coastal Safety. https://events.iala.int/3rd-joint-iho-iala-workshop-on-s-100-200-development-and-portrayal-istanbul-turkiye/

GNSS and e-Navigation

Another event on the horizon to be held in Constanta, Romania, from 14 to 18 September will provide aids to navigation and VTS managers, port and terminal administrations, related industry and other safety of navigation stakeholders with a solid understanding of GNSS, resilient PNT, digitalisation of maritime services and the e-navigation concept. https://www.iala.int/product/l1-4-gnss-and-e-navigation/

WATON Day 2026

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 15 July in Busan, ROK https://www.iala.int/news-events/world-marine-aids-to-navigation-day/world-marine-aids-to-navigation-day-2026-2/ .

To conclude

Once again to conclude 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.

The post Message from the Secretary-General appeared first on IALA.

As the maritime industry shifts toward a fully digital ecosystem, the role of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA), has never been more pivotal. Within the overarching S-100 framework established by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), IALA fulfills a dual role of immense responsibility: we serve as both the “Domain Control Body” (the Manager) and the “Submitting Organization” (the Author) for the domain of aids to navigation (AtoNs), VTS and communication including AIS, ASM and VDES. In essence, IALA acts as both the architect and the builder of the Product Specification that will define the future of maritime services.

The S-200 series is our dedicated contribution to this global effort. It represents a comprehensive digital transformation of AtoNs, Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems. By collaborating closely with the IHO, we are ensuring that IALA’s expertise is woven into the very fabric of next-generation navigation.

A Turning Point for S-100 ECDIS

The countdown has begun. From 1 January, 2029, the adoption of S-100 based ECDIS will become a mandatory carriage requirement for all new installations. This is not merely a technical suggestion; it is a regulatory milestone that requires the entire global shipping industry to move in unison.

While the legacy S-57 based ECDIS was effectively a static framework, one that lacked standard extensibility and was unable to support modern requirements for 3D visualization, dynamic updates, or time-series data, the new S-100 ECDIS is a “dynamic platform”. It is designed for real-time data exchange, intelligent distribution, and improved presentation. For this platform to succeed, it requires the high-quality, standardized data layers provided by the S-200 series. Investing in S-200 now is not just about compliance—it is about ensuring your organization is ready to provide the services that the modern mariner will demand.

The S-200 Portfolio: Harmonized and Interoperable

The S-200 domain is vast, covering every critical aspect of IALA’s expertise. By utilizing the IHO GI (Geospatial Information) Registry as a standardized “dictionary,” we ensure that every piece of data is interoperable with other S-100 layers. Our portfolio includes:

• S-201 – S-209 (Aids to Navigation): Moving beyond simple location data to include dynamic status and maintenance history.

• S-210 – S-219 (Vessel Traffic Services): Facilitating inter-VTS exchange (S-210) and the crucial VTS digital information (S-212).

• S-220 – S-239 (Communications): Covering AIS, ASM, and the emerging VDES standards.

• S-240 – S-249 (PNT Systems): Standardizing terrestrial-based augmentation like eLoran to provide resilience against GNSS jamming.

A prime example of this innovation is the synergy between S-201 and S-125. The frequent and periodic exchange of AtoN change information between National AtoN Authorities and National Hydrographic Offices is a cornerstone of this digital evolution. By utilizing the S-201 standardized format, which is engineered by IALA to be fully compatible with S-101 ENCs, countries can establish a standardized digital pipeline for maritime information delivery. This S-201 based management framework ensures that AtoN data remains current and authoritative, laying the essential foundation to provide mariners with the precise, real-time change information they require. Currently, Analysis from various Coastal States reveals that more than 50% of Notice to Mariners content is consistently related to routine AtoN changes. By automating this through S-125, ships will receive instant updates on malfunctioning buoys or status changes, eliminating the week-long wait for manual chart updates and significantly enhancing navigational safety.

Furthermore, as we transition to these dynamic services, Cybersecurity remains a paramount challenge. We must ensure that the “digital pipe” through which data flows is resilient against manipulation and unauthorized access from shore to ship. IALA’s focus on the “Technical Service” layer is specifically designed to solve these challenges through secure protocols like SECOM.

From Development to Production: A Call to Action

For years, our focus has been on drafting and stabilizing technical standards. Now that several of these standards have reached a mature phase, our next critical step is data production. Digitalization has massive potential, but it will fail if the organizations operating it are not producing the actual “bits and bytes” required by the system. IALA urges all Member States to begin transitioning from legacy databases to S-200 compliant data production environments immediately.

Proving the Concept: The Sea Trials

The viability of our vision has been proven through Sea Trials conducted in the Republic of Korea and Singapore. Using the SECOM protocol over high-speed 4G and 5G networks, these trials successfully demonstrated seamless, end-to-end data exchange between shore and ship.

The trial showed that a ship could identify available services via the Maritime Service Registry (MSR), request a “Get Summary” of relevant data for its route, and receive real-time updates of S-124 and S-125 services. This was not just a test; it was a demonstration that the S-200 framework is ready for implementation.

Capacity Building: Empowering Data Production

IALA WWA, with the invaluable support of the IHO, General Lighthouse Authorities Research & Development GRAD, Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering KRISO, and United Kingdom Hydrographic Office UKHO, has successfully conducted three intensive S-200 training sessions to date. These programs are critical milestones in our global digital roadmap. Rather than focusing solely on theoretical concepts, these sessions provide concrete, hands-on methodologies that enable every Member State to begin producing, validating, and managing their own S-200 compliant data.

The training is essential for bridging the “semantic gap” — the fundamental differences in how various maritime organizations define and categorize information. By harmonizing these definitions through practical exercise, we empower our members to modernize their administrative workflows and take a leading role in the digital transition.

Recognizing the high demand and the technical necessity of these skills, IALA is committed to providing ongoing training sessions in the future. We strongly encourage all members to consider participating in upcoming programs. Ensuring your personnel are equipped with these practical data production skills is the most effective way to guarantee your organization’s readiness for the e-Navigation with S-100 era.

The momentum will culminate this September at the 3rd Joint IHO/IALA Workshop in Istanbul (1 September to 4 September). Following the foundational work in Norway (2022) and the technical integration focus in the USA (2024), the Istanbul workshop will facilitate advanced bilateral consultations. Our primary objective is to synchronize technical standards and finalize coordination on product specifications to ensure we meet the 2029 global implementation deadlines.

IALA e-Bulletin Rapporteur: Paul Ridgway.

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Council approved the revised 2026 budget, the Committee Work Programme 2025–2027, major technical outputs across DTEC, ENG and VTS (15 new or revised Recommendations, Guidelines and Model Courses), and liaison notes to IEC TC80, IHO and RTCM. It also endorsed further work on eLoran and other GNSS-independent PNT systems, approved Denmark as host of the 15th IALA Symposium in 2029, and approved the framework for the IALA Award: Empowering Women in Marine Aids to Navigation.

Strategic and technical discussions focused on IALA Centres of Support, GNSS vulnerabilities, AI transcription tools, digitalisation, S-100/S-200, cyber resilience, resilient PNT, VDES, MASS and offshore renewable energy installations. Council tasked the Secretariat with coordinating work on Centres of Support and noted the feasibility study for an IALA Maritime Connectivity Platform instance.

Financially, Council noted the 2025 audited statements and approved the revised 2026 budget of approximately €3.7 million. It also noted membership developments, new accessions to the Convention, World-Wide Academy progress, communications updates, and preparations for the 2027 General Assembly and Conference in Mumbai.

Nine Secretariat action items were recorded, including work on Centres of Support, MASS, liaison notes and WATON Day 2026 communications. The next Council sessions were confirmed for Guangzhou in December 2026, Madrid in June 2027, and Mumbai in November 2027.

The full report is available here: https://www.iala.int/meetings/04/

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The IALA Risk Management Toolbox is a set of tools developed by the IALA (International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation) to conduct maritime risk assessments. The toolbox includes five tools: IWRAP, PAWSA MK II, SIRA, IRMAS and Simulation. The IALA World-Wide Academy (WWA) provides training based on the “Use of the IALA Risk Management Tools” model course.

This training is designed for individuals responsible for overseeing waterway management as required by SOLAS Chapter V Regulations 12 and 13. The IALA World-Wide Academy, together with the China Maritime Safety Administration, will run a training course focusing on the following IALA Risk Management tools and providing an overview of the others:

IWRAP is a standardized, quantitative method to evaluate the probability of collisions, groundings, and allisions in a given waterway. Using AIS data, IWRAP, a Windows-based software program, allows different scenarios to be developed so that changes such as those in traffic volume or composition, route geometry, aids to navigation or introducing other mitigating measures can be modelled.
SIRA is a simplified qualitative method to assess the volume of traffic and degree of risk and identify potential risk mitigation options to reduce the risks to acceptable levels. SIRA is particularly applicable where good quality AIS data, on which IWRAP depends, is unavailable or where access to individuals with the necessary experience level in the risk categories PAWSA uses is limited.

Dates and Venue

• A self-study course on the Introduction to the IALA Risk Management Toolbox will be available from 15 July (~12 hours commitment).
• In-person training will be held from 13 to 20 September 2026 at Wenzhou Aids to Navigation Division, China MSA

The in-person training will be held at the Wenzhou AtoN Division, Eastern Navigation Service Center. It is located at 1638  Huimin  Road,  Lucheng  District, Wenzhou  City, Zhejiang  Province, China,  is  responsible for managing and maintaining coastal public AtoNs from Cangnan Xiaguan to Ningbo Xiangshan.

Attendees

The course is mainly targeted at those who will fulfill the role of   Aids   to    Navigation   managers    in   the    Competent Authorities of various countries. It also targets other involved in the safe and efficient movement of vessels, including VTS providers,  port  authorities,  pilotage providers,  waterway managers, allied services, marine spatial planners, maritime  regulators, training organizations and consultants.

The working language will be English. Participants should have a good ability in English.

Training fees

• Registration fees: 1000 Euros
• China MSA, will generously, undertake    all   costs   of    training, accommodation,   food    and transportation in China for governmental officers/public servants in Competent Authorities.
• All participants  will  be  responsible  for  funding  their  own return international  airfares  and  visa  application fees.
• Four seats are reserved for participants from private organizations, They need to undertake their own accommodation and food expenses. China MSA will cover their transportation (venue hotel transport and airport transportation). The hotel accommodation fee is 340 RMB per day and the food fee is 190 RMB per day.
• Invitation letters will be supplied if required

Accommodation:

• All the participants will be accommodated at the Westin Wenzhou Hotel（5*). The address of the hotel: No. 1067, Jinxiu Road, Lucheng District, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province China.
• Accommodation fee is 340 RMB per day

Registration

For registration and further information, contact China MSA: 715858673@qq.com

or the IALA World-Wide Academy: academy@iala.int

Additional information (Registration form) may be found in the training flyer.

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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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