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News

COURSE ON PROCUREMENT PROCESSES AND PRACTICE FOR MARINE AIDS TO NAVIGATION

19 – 23 June 2023
IALA HQ, Saint Germain En Laye, France

About the course

Understanding procurement terminology, principles and processes is essential knowledge for those procuring AtoN goods and services. AtoN professionals are not necessarily procurement experts and do not need to be, but a good understanding of procurement best practices can be extremely useful to help navigate potential procurement issues. 

This course forms the full IALA Procurement course, incorporating the content of both the IALA Principles of Procurement and Managing the Procurement Process courses.

This course is open to all students irrespective of previous procurement experience but would be particularly suited to AtoN managers, those providing AtoN administration support and AtoN suppliers.

Benefits of participation 

How do I write a business case to purchase a new AtoN?  What should I include in a specification to ensure my new AtoN is fit for purpose?  How do I choose a supplier from a selection of tender submissions? 

The course will provide practical examples of AtoN procurement, and students will learn skills and be given practical tools that they can apply in their everyday work to assist with these typical procurement questions. 

Certificate 

Participants are awarded a certificate of successful completion of the course. 

Registration

Procurement processes and practices for Marine Aids to Navigation Residential course

PAP49

The 49th session of PAP was held in person between 7 – 9 March 2023. This was last PAP meeting for the work period of 2018 to 2023 and the last meeting for Simon Millyard and Phil Day to whom we said farewell as they will not reconduct their position as chairs for next work period.

Key outcomes included:

  • The draft 2023 – 2027 Work Programme.
  • A draft input to IMO regarding IALAs activities regarding MASS.
  • A draft proposal on an IALA workshop on MASS.
  • A proposal for changing the name of the ENAV Committee to the Digital Technology (DTec) Committee

The PAP was also updated on many items including:

  • IALAs involvement in the review of the STCW Code
  • The AIS document review
  • S-200 development
  • Maritime Resource Name (MRN)

VTS/SAR VHF Communications Induction Course

The IMO, in collaboration with IALA, conducted an induction course for six Ethiopian participants from the Ethiopian maritime authority and the Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Service Enterprise on VTS/SAR VHF communications. The Maritime Sciences and Technology Institute (MARSATI) in Lebanon is hosting this five-day course. Trainers from the Jovellanos Centre, part of the Spanish Maritime Safety and Rescue Agency, delivered lectures using a mobile VTS simulator.

As part of the Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy, IMO intends to support countries participating in the Red Sea Area in improving security and safety. Thus, a number of activities are being carried out under the EU-funded “Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area”. This training is the second activity organized jointly with IALA in favour of red sea participating countries. The third activity will take place in June 2023 for a group of beneficiaries from Yemen.

The training provided an opportunity to share best practices related to the safety of navigation, including the use of VTS, local port services, and aids to navigation.

Council 76

The 76th session of the Council meeting was held from 12 to 16 December 2022 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and by video conference. 32 new documents (recommendations, guidelines, and model courses) were approved as well as one workshop proposal and the budget for 2023.

As the president could not attend the meeting, the vice-president chaired session and brilliantly conducted this week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

After welcoming the new participants, each councilor reported on national matters. The Secretary General then briefed on the latest news about the secretariat. The Strategy and Policy section saw the validation of the Current Drivers and Trends and the Strategic Vision. A few more details were given about the transition period regarding the change of status. The treasurer went over the finance and audit committee report.

The technical documents were all approved and interesting discussions were prompted by VTS committee new documents. The revised standards were deemed ready to be submitted to the 14th general assembly to be held on 3 June 2023. The Council gave approval to the election of Cap Spartel Lighthouse in Morocco as Lighthouse of the year 2023.

The Council endorsed new members and granted honorary membership to Barry Goldman.

The Council also approved the Terms of Reference for the newly established IALA Disaster Recovery Fund.

The full report is available at https://www.iala.int/meetings/76/ All the documents will be made available at the beginning of the new year.

Furthermore, the Council was delighted to visit the facilities offered by the convention center selected to host the 20th conference. The council congratulated the Brazilian navy for the arrangements made during the Council week and was very hopeful for a wonderful conference ahead.

Happy festive season!

IALA offices will be closed from 23 December 2022 to 1 January 2023. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!

WWA mission in Seychelles

The IALA World-Wide Academy conducted a mission in the Seychelles islands in September 2022. View the video to know more about this interesting project.

Vacancy Notice

The IALA World-Wide Academy is looking for a new Education and Training Manager. Please see details of the offer below. The deadline for sending applications is extended to 15 August 2022.

Progress towards Intergovernmental status

Following the end of the signature period in January 2022, three more states have joined:  The Netherlands accepted the Convention on 25 April 2022 and the United Kingdom acceded to the Convention on 5 May 2022 and Canada ratified the Convention on 8 June 2022.

What is the process?

States that have signed the Convention are invited to transmit the instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval to France, the depositary State. All Member States of the United Nations that have not signed during the signature period, may accede to the Convention, which will enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the thirtieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

Find out more

Workshop on S-100/S-200 development and portrayal

IALA, IHO and the Norwegian Coastal Administration are holding a workshop on S-100, S-200 development and portrayal from 5 to 9 September 2022 in Alesund, Norway.
The objective of the workshop is to:
Harmonize and open feedback channels between IHO and IALA regarding Product Specification requirements and development processes.
Share visions of the use of S-100 / S-200 among stakeholders.
Identify possible updates and recommend amendments to existing documents.
Provide clarity regarding the development of S-100 / S-200 based Product Specifications.

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