MPA-IALA e-Navigation and Vessel Traffic Service Workshop
As a part of #Sinagapore Maritime week 2023, The #MPA and #IALA World Wide Academy conducted an insightful workshop on e-Navigation/Vessel Traffic Service Workshop benefiting participants from 17 countries. The workshop activities included the regulatory framework of VTS notably the new IMO Resolution A.1158(32) Guidelines for VTS and the determining need for VTS. The e-navigation framework for today and the future alongside the maritime connectivity platform were presented and discussed with participants, including S-100 and S-200 product specifications and the S-125 Interoperability testbed. Further, the IALA Risk management toolbox was introduced to the participant with a focus on the IWRAP tool.
The workshop covered also the research development and projects on E-navigation and VTS including “Big data analytics and AI research for improving port operations and enhancing traffic safety”, “The Open Digital Incubator initiative”, and two examples from Singapore “VTS and e-Navigation applications in Singapore” and South Korea “Asia Pacific WEB- Promulgation of MSI”.
Under the workshop’s human element panel, the IALA WWA presented the IALA training and certification system for both AtoN and VTS personnel, and an enlightening discussion on stress and fatigue in VTS management and the role of AI in this regard was facilitated.
On the occasion of this workshop, there was a Buoy handover ceremony of Singapore’s donation to the Disaster Recovery Fund launched by the IALA WWA to assist Ukraine. Mrs Kateryna Zelenko, the Ukrainian ambassador in Singapore, accepted the buoy from Mr Eng Dih Teo on behalf of MPA and Mr FRANCIS ZACHARIAE on behalf of IALA.
A special thanks to MPA for their support of the IALA Academy, as well as to the participants and our VTS and E-navigation experts for their valuable contributions.
Join the WWA in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Joint cooperation visit Sierra Leone
The Academy conducted a joint cooperation visit to Sierra Leone together with IHO, and UKHO as primary charting authority. These organizations; IALA, IHO and UKHO, have common interests and could meet with mutual stakeholders. Joint technical visits are very helpful for the receiving country as it shows the larger picture in Safety of Navigation. A port authority or AtoN service provider require good hydrographic surveys to determine an AtoN deployment plan. At the end we all have the same goal: #wekeeptheshipsofftherocks
In the pictures you see that the team met with various stakeholders. For example, we met with the Minister, we talked to the ports and pilots and we also listened to the needs of the fishermen.
VTS/SAR VHF Communications Induction Course
The IMO, in collaboration with IALA, conducted an induction course for six Ethiopian participants from the Ethiopian maritime authority and the Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Service Enterprise on VTS/SAR VHF communications. The Maritime Sciences and Technology Institute (MARSATI) in Lebanon is hosting this five-day course. Trainers from the Jovellanos Centre, part of the Spanish Maritime Safety and Rescue Agency, delivered lectures using a mobile VTS simulator.
As part of the Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy, IMO intends to support countries participating in the Red Sea Area in improving security and safety. Thus, a number of activities are being carried out under the EU-funded “Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area”. This training is the second activity organized jointly with IALA in favour of red sea participating countries. The third activity will take place in June 2023 for a group of beneficiaries from Yemen.
The training provided an opportunity to share best practices related to the safety of navigation, including the use of VTS, local port services, and aids to navigation.
Mission to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
The Academy conducted a technical needs assessment mission to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and found the system for delivering AtoN services to be in good condition, well managed and almost compliant with IALA Standards.
Inland ports
The inland ports and extensive river transport corridors are well developed and the connection between the coastal ports and approaches with the riverine systems is well harmonized in terms of safety of navigation.
Stakeholder meetings
Among other stakeholder meetings, the experts visited Chittagong, Mongla Ports and inland waters where they visited a new IALA Industrial Member being Dockyard & Engineering Works, a ship construction and repair yard at Narayanganj.
The experts were impressed to learn how swift Bangladesh responds after they are hit by cyclones. For example, they have many Emergency Wreck Marking Buoys (EWMB) stand-by for deployment. These buoys are not only used for marking of new wrecks but also upriver, when structures collapse in the fairway due to the impact of a cyclone.
This is a good application of the EWMB as the IALA MBS says that: “new dangers” are newly discovered hazards, natural or man-made, that may not yet be shown in nautical documents and publications, and until the information is sufficient promulgated. Therefor an EWMB can also be used for temporary marking of other dangers then wrecks.
During the mission, a high-level meeting took place with the Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, Mr. Mostafa Kamal and the Director General of the Departement of Shipping, Commodore Md. Nizam Hoque.
The mission was conducted by Omar and Gerardine
Watch this video on technical cooperation with Seychelles Islands
News from Lebanon, Mr. Afif Ghaith sharing his experiences in working with the Academy
In May 2021, 9 months after the Beirut Port blast, a first contact between the Academy and Lebanon was established through the Mediterranean and Black Sea Hydrographic Committee (MBSHC). The Academy informed to be ready to conduct a technical mission on short notice, aiming to evaluate the AtoN service delivery in Lebanon.
In August 2021 the Academy sent an expert to conduct a 10 day technical needs assessment mission. Among Beirut and Tripoli Port several other ports and locations where visited.
During stakeholder meetings this expert acted as mediator between parties, in some cases it was the first time for these parties to work together. This resulted in a final agreement between the stakeholder to continue such cooperation on Safety of Navigation matters and formalize this in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in due time.
The mission had a very positive effect during one of the most difficult periods in Lebanon. My country signing national membership to IALA already in August was a great achievement.
After the mission, the WWA followed-up with AtoN manager and risk assessment training dedicated to Lebanese Navy personnel. This training was needed as one of the outcomes of the mission was the need to conduct formal risk assessments in the waters of Lebanon, an obligation under SOLAS Ch. V, Reg 12 and 13. The stakeholder meetings from the technical mission in 2021 formed a sound basis for a PASWA workshop in May 2022.
We had the honor to have the Deputy Secretary-General of IALA and a WWA expert as observer in the workshop.
During this event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between IALA and MARSATI in order to further develop AtoN and VTS training capabilities in Lebanon and in the region.
I am very pleased to be designated as Advisor to support the Academy it’s work and hope other countries will benefit from this, same as my country did.
Commander Afif GHAITH
Director of the Lebanese Navy Hydrographic Service
Technical Cooperation Visit of Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo visited IALA Headquarters for technical cooperation with the Academy. This is part of the preparations for a technical needs assessment mission the Academy plans to conduct in September 2022. Using the nautical charts, we identified which places to focus on.
Mission to the Republic of Cape Verde
The IALA World-Wide Academy conducted a technical cooperation visit in Cape Verde which is an archipelago and island country in the central Atlantic Ocean, consisting of ten volcanic islands. Besides meeting with various stakeholders, the team met with the Minister of the Sea, Mr. Abraao Vicente, who showed strong maritime commitment.
This follow-up of a technical needs assessment mission that took place in 2016 aims at evaluating the provision of marine aids to navigation services in Cape Verde and to provide advice on the process for Vessel Traffic Service Implementation.
The timing of this mission was chosen as now the new IMO Resolution A.1158(32) Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Service can be taken in account.
The Academy has a strategy to help coastal States make informed decisions with respect to VTS through providing a framework for determining practical needs by means of risk assessment as well as offering guidance on effective implementation, governance and the training and certification of VTS professionals.
The Academy experts were also very pleased to see continuous improvements on the physical Aids to Navigation and not only in the Cape Verde main ports.
Every single fishing community along the coastline, in total 27 remote places, are provided with a single lit beacon to bring home safely all fishermen. It is often forgotten that SOLAS Chapter V applies to all classes of ships including a wooden fishing boat.
Instituto Marítimo Portuario (IMP) understands this very well and they are an example of good practice in the region.
During the visit we celebrated international women’s day. The team conducted an inspection from seaward together with Ms. Samira Semedo.
She is a pilot at Praia in Cape Verde since 2021. Before she started as pilot she served as chief officer at the merchant marine. She studied and lived for a while in Brazil where she met her husband, a chief engineer. As an important stakeholder she brought a lot of value and essential input to the technical visit.
IALA and its Academy look forward to continue our technical cooperation with the IMP.
Join the Academy “on the road” during a technical cooperation visit in the Republic of Guatemala.
with Spanish subtitles
with English subtitles
PAWSA Workshop Port of Antwerp
It was a pleasure for the Academy participating as observer to the Port of Antwerp Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment (PAWSA). The PAWSA tool is an advanced, structured process that identifies risk factors and evaluates risk control options through expert input. The process requires a competent facilitator and the participation of professional waterway users and stakeholders. If you are interested to learn more about PAWSA then please note that aPAWSA course will start on-line in November. All information can be found via this link: https://lnkd.in/gc6r_iwh
Mission to the Republic of El Salvador
The Academy conducted a technical mission to the Republic of El Salvador. We had a meeting with the Minister of Public Works, just 29 years old; the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, a brilliant young lady, and many other stakeholders. They all showed strong commitment to improve Safety of Navigation and become part of the IALA family. Jaime Alvarez, technical officer at IALA, joined the mission as Spanish translator.
Stakeholder meeting with hydrographic office
Technical visit at Acajutla Port
Meeting with the Minister of Public Works & Transport
Mission to the Republic of Lebanon
The Academy conducted a technical needs assessment mission to the Republic of Lebanon and as a result of this mission the Ministry of Transport and Public Works applied for national membership to IALA. During this mission several stakeholder meetings took place and it was decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between them. This will result in better cooperation on Safety of Navigation matters and improve the Aids to Navigation and Hydrographic Service Provision. The Academy will follow-up with AtoN training and the facilitation of risk assessments in the near future.
On the road again
Since March 2020, the Academy has been affected by the Pandemic, which effectively stopped all travel activity and made it impossible to conduct technical missions. Since then, the Academy has conducted all its meetings online and came up with the so called Micro Seminars to follow up on previous Technical missions. Finally the Pandemic has loosened its grip a little bit, and the Academy can now slowly resume its travel activity.
Mission to Lebanon
The first physical mission in 2021 went to Lebanon where the Academy provides support and advice on matters relating to Aids to Navigation service provision.
Vessel traffic service
Meet VTS operator Ihab at Beirut Port. A VTS system was established in 1998, but unfortunately in 2006 , the radar towers were damaged during the war.
Stakeholder meeting
Initial stakeholder meeting at Beirut Port Authority. The harbourmaster informed on Aids to Navigation and the chief pilot described various challenges. A Traffic Separation Scheme is being discussed.
VTS-ENAV Symposium 2021 – the participants
After the VTS-ENAV Symposium, Academy News interviewed a few participants to learn what they took away from the Symposium.
IALA VTS-ENAV Symposium 2021
The IALA VTS-ENAV Symposium was held virtually in April 2021 and Academy News went behind the scenes to see what was going on.
There is a Book of Abstracts if you are interested in what went on at the Symposium.
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