Message from the Secretary-General
Since the last e-Bulletin I was able to represent IALA at Singapore Maritime Week from 4 to 8 April. This was a splendid gathering at which many useful exchanges were facilitated across a broad spectrum of the international and Far Eastern maritime communities. I am most grateful to our hosts the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore for their welcome and excellent facilities provided.
From 2 to 5 May the Policy Advisory Panel (PAP) met physically for its 46th session after two years of virtual meetings due to the pandemic of Covid-19.
It is a pleasure to report that the panel managed to discuss all the items of its agenda in a timely manner, and then proceeded to the selection of abstracts for the next year’s Rio de Janeiro conference.
A hybrid meeting solution with optional connection through Microsoft Teams was also available at PAP so participants who could not be present could join remotely. It is our belief that this successful meeting method was the first of the post-pandemic era and will be followed by many others where our members from around the world can renew contacts and work in the best possible conditions towards our common goals.
During 11 / 12 May I was in Tampa, Florida, for the Digital@Sea conference hosted by RTCM, the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services. RTCM is engaged in the development of international standards for maritime radio navigation and radio communication systems world-wide and is an important partner for IALA.
By signing an MoU we have reaffirmed and strengthened our collaboration with RTCM.
With regard to the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation Convention, so far fifty-one States have signed. We anticipate many other States will follow to accede to the Convention which will come into force when 30 States have ratified, accepted, approved or acceded to it. Seven States have already done so.
In the meantime, we are encouraging others to ratify the Convention as soon as possible and to promote an interest in this progress, particularly with States with maritime interests but no coastline such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and others.
The Council meeting was held in Copenhagen, Denmark from 30 May to 3 June with almost all members in physical attendance. Four recommendations, thirteen guidelines were approved, and the Lighthouse of the Year was selected.
Several interesting events are on the horizon this summer including a joint workshop with IHO on S-100/S-200 in September and of course the World Marine Aids to Navigation Day to be celebrated on 1 July.