• Singapore is hosting the first general assembly of the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) from February 18 to 21. 

• This is IALA’s inaugural general assembly since becoming an inter-governmental organisation on August 22, 2024, following the entry into force of the Convention on the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation.

• India is elected as the vice president of the IALA.

• India will host the IALA Council meeting in December 2025 and the IALA Conference & General Assembly in September 2027 in Mumbai. 

• India’s election to this prominent position reinforces its dedication to advancing maritime safety, enhancing navigational aids, and fostering international cooperation within the maritime sector.

What is IALA?

• The International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) was established in 1957 as a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

• IALA gathered together marine aids to navigation authorities, manufacturers, consultants and scientific and training institutes from all parts of the world and offers them the opportunity to exchange and compare their experiences and achievements.

• Taking into account the needs of mariners, developments in technology and the requirements and constraints of aids to navigation authorities, a number of technical committees have been established bringing together experts from around the world.

• The work of the committees is aimed at developing common best practices through the publication of IALA standards, recommendations, guidelines and model courses.

• This work ensures that mariners have marine aids to navigation which will meet their needs both now and in the future. Thus IALA contributes to a reduction of marine accidents, increased safety of life and property at sea, as well as the protection of the marine environment.

• The Secretariat is based in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris.

• IALA’s transition from an NGO to an inter-governmental organisation reflects its growing importance in shaping international standards and best practices for safe and efficient navigation.

• Its status as an inter-governmental organisation strengthens IALA’s mandate to harmonise global maritime navigation systems, promote maritime safety initiatives, and collaborate with its member states, international organisations, and industry stakeholders to address emerging challenges in maritime safety and environmental protection.

Achievements of IALA

• In 1929 the first International Lighthouse Conference was held in the United Kingdom. 

• This was the first of five conferences held before IALA was formally established as an association of lighthouse authorities. 

• The purpose of these conferences was to exchange views on technical developments in marine aids to navigation. 

• When IALA was established in 1957, its first constitution defined its purpose, which was to “Assemble the lighthouse authorities of all countries for the discussion of general technical interests; circulate information regarding lighthouse authorities work in the various countries so that improvements introduced in any one of them may be available to the others; encourage, support and make known researches and inventions which are useful to Lighthouse Authorities”. 

• IALA has now done this for almost 100 years, and therefore, connecting and sharing knowledge between marine aids to navigation stakeholders is regarded as one of the primary achievements of IALA.

Since its establishment, IALA has developed several important concepts and systems, such as:

i) The IALA Maritime Buoyage System (IALA MBS)

ii) Differential GPS System (DGPS)

iii) Automatic Identification System (AIS)

iv) VHF Data Exchange System (VDES)

v) Development of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)

• Furthermore, IALA has published more than 250 standards, recommendations and guidelines, providing guidance on marine aids to navigation services provision and vessel traffic service.

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