The United Kingdom will host the main event in London, and all IALA members are invited to attend. The World Marine Aids to Navigation Day will be of particular significance in 2025, being the first event since IALA changed its status from a Non-Governmental to an Intergovernmental Organisation. The new status provides IALA with exciting opportunities for stronger international cooperation at government level and with the IMO and other international organisations and relevant stakeholders.
The chosen theme for the 2025 World Marine Aids to Navigation Day is ‘The role of physical Aids to Navigation in a Digital Future’ and we intend bringing together senior representatives of Government, the wider maritime industry, R&D establishments and academia, and international organisations such as the IMO to participate in interactive discussions.
Places are filling up fast so if you would like to join us in London, please register here: https://icsevents.eventsair.com/wand2025/wandreg/Site/Register
We are still finalising the programme, but it is very likely to include:
Monday 30th June
Early evening river cruise and social event onboard a Thames Clipper taking in the key sights of the city from the River Thames.
Tuesday 1st July
The Northern Lighthouse Board and Trinity House will host the main event on behalf of the UK Government and the Department for Transport in the historic Trinity House building, at Tower Hill in the centre of London. A networking opportunity over coffee will be followed by opening speeches by key guests. There will then be a presentation on the work and achievements of IALA and the World-Wide Academy before the first of two panel discussions bringing together leading experts on the theme of ‘The Future Seascape and Maritime Resilience’. Participants may then enjoy a buffet lunch and the chance for networking before a second panel discussion considering ‘Physical AtoN Services in a Digital World’. That evening there will be a dinner in the Library at Trinity House where the guest speaker will be Sturla Henriksen, Special Advisor, Ocean, to the UN Global Compact, and co-chair of the Ocean Group under the G20 Presidency of South Africa.
Wednesday 2nd July
A coach will take guests on a two hour journey to the east coast operational base of Trinity House in the port town of Harwich. Once in Harwich, guests will have the opportunity to a enjoy a technical and operational experience while visiting the 24 hour Planning Centre, the buoy yard, one of Trinity House’s vessels alongside. There will also be a chance to meet the GRAD team of technical and academic experts who undertake research and development on behalf of the three General Lighthouse Authorities of the UK and Ireland (Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board and Irish Lights). Lunch will be provided and guests will be returned to London by 18:00.
When applying to attend, guests will be able to choose to attend all of the events or to choose one or more of, the Thames Clipper Welcome Reception, the Main Event, the Gala Dinner and the Technical Day in Harwich. Registration will remain open until 13th June. There are places left, but not many so we would recommend registering as soon as possible if you would like to attend.
The link here will take you to an independently website where you can register: https://icsevents.eventsair.com/wand2025/wandeoi/Site/Register