India elected to the Vice Presidency of the IALA in Singapore Meeting

India has been elected Vice Presidency of the International Organisation of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA). India was elected for this post at the first 1st General Assembly of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) held in Singapore from 18-21 February 2025.

This was the first General Assembly of the IALA since becoming an intergovernmental organization on 22 August 2024. It was established as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in 1957.

After becoming an inter-governmental organisation, the organisation's name has been changed to the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.

Who led the Indian delegation at the IALA General Assembly? 

The Indian delegation was led by K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. 

The Meeting was attended by about 400 delegates and attendees from 65 countries, comprising senior government officials and maritime leaders from industry associations and companies.

Objective of the IALA General Assembly 

The General Assembly meeting provided a platform for the stakeholders to discuss issues related to developments in Aids to Navigation, vessel traffic services, emerging technologies, and governance in the use of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships.

The Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship means those commercial ships operated through remote controls. There are no human crew onboard the ship to pilot the ship.

The General Assembly also elected IALA Council members for 2025 to 2027.

The Council is the highest decision-making body of the IALA, consisting of 21 elected members and three non-elected Councilors.

About the  International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA)

The IALA was established in 1957 as an association of Lighthouse authorities.

The main aim of the IALA was to provide a platform for the member lighthouse authorities and Companies engaged in manufacturing navigation aids to exchange views on technical developments in marine aids to navigation and to make navigation safe.

Now, it is a global body that develops standards, recommendations, and guidelines for marine aids, navigation, vessel traffic services, and e-navigation.

Headquarters: Paris, France