Abstract:
Safe and efficient maritime transportation is vital to both economic and environmental
sustainability. Marine Aids to Navigation (AtoN) are key to helping all types of vessel
navigate safely and efficiently and Governments have an international obligation under
the IMO Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention to provide them in accordance with
the volume of traffic and degree of risk.
The aim of IALA is to foster the safe, economic, and efficient movement of vessels,
through improvement and harmonisation of AtoN worldwide, for the benefit of the
maritime community and the protection of the environment. This aim can be achieved
through coastal States implementing the IALA standards to create an effective network of
aids to navigation that both enhance the safety of navigation and the efficient movement
of vessels.
The IALA standards provide a framework for harmonization, supported by a suite of
guidance documents providing options, suggestions, and best practices as to how AtoN
may be implemented for maximum effectiveness. The IALA World-Wide Academy,
through its strategy of enlightenment, education and engagement can assist coastal
States in the implementation of the IALA standards and compliance with the SOLAS
Convention through a range of activities designed to increase national operational and
technical capability.
The new normal for coastal States includes new types of risk as marine navigation
becomes more digitized and ships become more automatized, remotely operated and
even autonomous. This development requires coastal States to be proactive and well
prepared for what the future will bring.
