Press release from the IHMA
During a meeting on 4 December 2024, the International Hydrographic Organization Nautical Information Provision Work Group (IHO NIPWG) held a vote on the new Guide for Nautical Data 2.1. The guide was unanimously endorsed.
The guide has been written, with contributory input from International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA) members around the world, to support hydrographic offices and port authorities in the discharge of their collective responsibilities as per the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V, Regulation 9: Hydrographic Services.
SOLAS sets out the minimum standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of ships, compatible with their safety. Specifically, Chapter V, Regulation 9 relates to the collection, compilation, maintenance and dissemination of information necessary for safe navigation.
It requires the undertaking of hydrographic surveys and the preparation and issue of a range of information such as nautical charts, sailing directions, lists of lights and tide tables. Under the regulation, hydrographic offices and port authorities are required to coordinate their activities as far as possible to ensure the timely, reliable production and circulation of unambiguous and uniform nautical publications.
IHMA President Paul O’Regan said, “In safeguarding the lives and well-being of our seafarers, SOLAS is perhaps the most important of all international maritime treaties. Through this Guide, IHMA and IHO are working together to improve the exchange between ports and hydrographic offices, improving the quality of data of nautical charts and publications. We are pleased to be playing our part in advancing safe practice.”
IHO Director Dr. John Nyberg said, “The IHO is pleased with the release of this guide in support of seafarers around the world and views it as a successful outcome of the IHO-IHMA partnership. It is one further tool to help countries around the world fulfill their SOLAS obligations.”
Captain Ben van Scherpenzeel, Chairman International Taskforce Port Call Optimization (ITPCO) and Project Officer Nautical Information of IHMA, said, “The collaboration between subject matter experts from hydrographic offices, shipping lines and ports has resulted in this significant milestone to improve the quality and availability of nautical data.”
During a meeting on 4 December 2024, the International Hydrographic Organization Nautical Information Provision Work Group (IHO NIPWG) held a vote on the new Guide for Nautical Data 2.1. The guide was unanimously endorsed.
The guide has been written, with contributory input from International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA) members around the world, to support hydrographic offices and port authorities in the discharge of their collective responsibilities as per the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V, Regulation 9: Hydrographic Services.
SOLAS sets out the minimum standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of ships, compatible with their safety. Specifically, Chapter V, Regulation 9 relates to the collection, compilation, maintenance and dissemination of information necessary for safe navigation.
It requires the undertaking of hydrographic surveys and the preparation and issue of a range of information such as nautical charts, sailing directions, lists of lights and tide tables. Under the regulation, hydrographic offices and port authorities are required to coordinate their activities as far as possible to ensure the timely, reliable production and circulation of unambiguous and uniform nautical publications.
IHMA President Paul O’Regan said, “In safeguarding the lives and well-being of our seafarers, SOLAS is perhaps the most important of all international maritime treaties. Through this Guide, IHMA and IHO are working together to improve the exchange between ports and hydrographic offices, improving the quality of data of nautical charts and publications. We are pleased to be playing our part in advancing safe practice.”
IHO Director Dr. John Nyberg said, “The IHO is pleased with the release of this guide in support of seafarers around the world and views it as a successful outcome of the IHO-IHMA partnership. It is one further tool to help countries around the world fulfill their SOLAS obligations.”
Captain Ben van Scherpenzeel, Chairman International Taskforce Port Call Optimization (ITPCO) and Project Officer Nautical Information of IHMA, said, “The collaboration between subject matter experts from hydrographic offices, shipping lines and ports has resulted in this significant milestone to improve the quality and availability of nautical data.”
About the IHMA
The International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA) is a professional membership association for those responsible for the safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally sound conduct of marine operations in port waters. The Association brings together Harbour Masters and all those who hold a managerial position in aspects of the control of marine operations within a port. Its members include port operations managers, VTS managers, and many others, as well as, of course, Harbour Masters.
The IHMA unites those responsible for the safe, efficient, and secure navigation of port waters, with members representing more than 50 nations, extending throughout Western and Eastern Europe, Australasia, Africa, the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia. Members are from ports large and small, publicly and privately owned, and represent a unique source of up-to-date, hands-on expertise in a range of port and maritime operations, including safety of navigation, vessel traffic control, shipping movements, port management, protection of the marine environment, the ship/port interface, cargo handling and safe stowage, safety management and training, and port security.
IHMA has observer status at IMO. Reports of the proceedings of IMO Committees are circulated to members and made available together with selected documents of interest to members. Members can participate in IMO Working Groups and Correspondence Groups.
IHMA works to develop information and resources for its members, and the Association supports the participation of its members in these efforts in order to ensure that relevant information is developed and made available to members.
The Association also welcomes commercial members and maintains a good relationship with companies developing products and services that may assist members in the performance of their professional duties. Commercial members have access to the key decision-makers and are especially important participants in the Association’s business.
