Singapore elected to council of organisation that advances maritime navigation safety
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The declaration aims to provide support for member states to build their capacities in marine navigational aids.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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SINGAPORE – Singapore was elected to the council of the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) from 2025 to 2027, at the organisation’s inaugural general assembly on Feb 20.
Previously a non-governmental organisation known as the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities, IALA became an intergovernmental organisation in August 2024.
Singapore has been a national member of IALA since 1972, and a council member since 2018.
IALA is a global body that develops standards, recommendations and guidelines on marine aids to navigation, vessel traffic services and e-navigation.
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) said on Feb 20 that Singapore’s election to the council allows it to further strengthen its collaboration with IALA and member states in approving technical standards for the harmonisation of marine aids to navigation – such as lighthouses, buoys and fog signals – and fostering international partnerships.
On Singapore’s election to the council, Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat said: “As a leading maritime hub port and coastal state, Singapore will continue to support IALA’s work in developing global standards to harmonise marine aids to navigation worldwide.”
Mr Chee, who is also Second Minister for Finance, congratulated IALA on its successful transition to an intergovernmental organisation, and reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to advancing global maritime safety.
On the first day of the general assembly on Feb 18, a document dubbed the Singapore Declaration
The declaration also aims to provide support for member states to build their capacities in marine navigational aids.
Singapore will continue to work with IALA World-Wide Academy under an agreement to fund and support the capacity building and human resource development of IALA members, said MOT.
