#SeaLevelRise leads to changes in #coastlines and the submergence of low-lying areas. As a result, the baseline from which #maritime zones are measured may shift inland. If baselines shift, this could have an impact on coastal states’ territorial waters, maritime boundaries with neighbouring states, and access to marine resources in the EEZ and continental shelf. In parallel, the #CommonHeritageofMankind (CHM) principle has seen a revival in discussions on marine resources, particularly as advancements in technology have opened the door to deep-sea mining and bioprospecting in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The CHM principle is a foundational concept in international law that applies to certain global commons, such as the deep seabed and the high seas. As new treaties and negotiations, like the BBNJ Treaty move forward, the CHM principle is becoming central to debates about who benefits from these resources and how they should be conserved for future generations. These were some of the topics discussed at the 2024 seminar organized by the Advisory Board on the Law of the Sea (ABLOS) and the Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation of Brazil, held during the 31st ABLOS meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (October 7-9, 2024). The meeting was chaired by Juan Carlos Báez Soto from the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG) and vice-chaired by Fiona Bloor from the UK Hydrographic Office, who will assist as chair next year. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) was represented by Assistant Director Leonel Manteigas. #LawOfTheSea #ABLOS2024 #SustainableOceans #UNCLOS #MaritimeLaw #Geoscience #OceanGovernance #SustainableOceans #MarineScience #GlobalMaritime #IHO #SeaLevelRise #CapacityBuilding #ABLOS2024 #MarineResources #CommonHeritageOfMankind #CoastalManagement
International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
Government Relations Services
Monaco, Monaco Cedex 10,322 followers
Mapping the physics and features of the ocean
About us
The IHO is an intergovernmental organization which works to ensure all the physics and features of the oceans are measured and charted. This includes sea level, topography of the seabed (mountains, volcanoes, ravines…), bathymetry (depth) currents, etc. This information supports all marine activities including navigation, scientific research, environmental protection, and the development of the Blue Economy. With 98 Member States across five continents, the IHO sets standards and coordinates activities of national hydrographic offices so that all oceans, coastal areas, lakes and rivers are surveyed and charted. Information related to the topography of the seabed or the strength and regularity of currents for example can be used to develop marine renewable energy projects. Environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, and currents can be used by industries like fishing and aquaculture to optimize their activities. Plus, the marine environment is changing. In some parts of the world sea level is rising, ice is melting, coasts are eroding etc. Hydrography provides baseline data to measure and monitor these changes. The IHO was established in 1921.
- Website
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http://www.iho.int
External link for International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
- Industry
- Government Relations Services
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Monaco, Monaco Cedex
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1921
Locations
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Primary
4b, Quai Antoine Ier
Monaco, Monaco Cedex 98011, MC
Employees at International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
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Virginie Tassin Campanella
'Attorney of the Ocean', VTA Tassin - Public International Law Firm for Oceans & Seas I VP Sc.C. INDEMER (Monaco) I ABLOS Member (IHO/IAG)
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Kenneth Himschoot
Consultant and owner at Himschoot Consulting bvba
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Tom Richardson
Passionate about how geospatial data can make a difference
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Sam Harper
Assistant Director Survey and Operations - International Hydrographic Organisation
Updates
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Carrying out ocean surveys following international #standards ensures that the #data gathered is consistent and comparable. As a sign of the importance of this work, the #Hydrographic Surveys Working Group (HSWG) is currently meeting in Rome, Italy. Delegates are discussing the latest developments in surveying and are continuing work on the Standards for Hydrographic Surveying (S-44), Guidelines on #Satellite #Bathymetry (B13), and the Manual on #Hydrography (C-13). Hosted by the European Space Agency - ESA Centre for Earth Observation (ESRIN), the meeting is also providing participants with the opportunity to explore avenues for collaboration with the #EarthObservation community, with a view to utilizing the latest #space #technology to map #ocean parameters at a global scale. David Parker of the UK Hydrographic Office is chair and Megan Greenaway of NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration is vice-chair. #Hydrography #MarineScience #OceanMapping #S44 #SatelliteBathymetry #CapacityBuilding #EarthObservation #OceanSurvey #StandardsInSurveying
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The 11th Nautical Information Provision Working Group (NIPWG) meeting, held last week in Gdynia, Poland, was a success! Hosted by the Hydrographic Office of the Polish Navy, members and participants shared their experiences in testing new S-100-based products and data services, as well as evaluating their interoperability. During the review, progress on action items was assessed to ensure readiness for the S-100 ECDIS. This technical evolution of the established navigation tool will help to further enhance marine safety and efficiency by providing a much wider range of #marine #geodata which will be partly able to be updated in near real-time. The implementation is set to begin in 2026. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will come together on a future occasion to explore the potential of the S-100 ECDIS. With an update on the development of the “Guidelines for Harmonized Communication and Electronic Exchange of Nautical Data for Port Calls”, provided by the IHMA - International Harbour Masters Association representative, the NIPWG members also addressed secured data exchange mechanisms for #InternetProtocol-based ship to shore communication. A highlight of the meeting was the all-new digital Catalogue of Nautical Products S-128, which is on the right track for submission to the approval of IHO Member States. Participants from 15 Member States, along with members of the IMO Expert Group on Data Harmonization, IHMA, ProtectedSeas, and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) attended the meeting. NIPWG is responsible for the transition of Nautical Publications from paper format to the Universal Hydrographic Data Model S-100 digital framework. These Nautical Publications play a crucial role in near-shore navigation and harbour approaches. NIPWG has developed several new S-100 Product Specifications to support the next generation of Electronic Navigation Data Services (ENDS) for mariners – the fuel for S-100 ECDIS. Chaired by Eivind Mong from the Canadian Coast Guard/Garde côtière canadienne. #NIPWG #NauticalInformation #Hydrography #S100 #ElectronicNavigation #ECDIS #MaritimeSafety #PortCalls #DataExchange #IMO #HydrographicData #NauticalPublications #MaritimeInnovation #NavigationTechnology #SOLAS #Seafaring #DigitalTransformation #MarineData
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There are many fascinating careers in hydrography and many different ways to progress in this field. As part of the Empowering Women in Hydrography Project, the IHO is putting the spotlight on some of these captivating life stories and is sharing them online in a collection of “Portraits from Around the World”. This series highlights the work and achievements of women working in #hydrography and their contributions to the field. Officially endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade action, the EWH project aims to raise awareness about career opportunities in hydrography and improve the gender balance in the hydrographic community. Today, we are pleased to share the portrait of Inyoung Park, who before being a Project Officer at the International Hydrographic Organization Secretariat was Director of the Survey Division for the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA). You can read the full portrait here: https://lnkd.in/evmbh7rk. #WomenInSTEM #OceanDecade #GenderEquality #WomenInScience #Hydrography #MarineScience #OceanMapping #WomenEmpowerment #IHO #EmpoweringWomeninHydrography
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Hydrography helps shed light on what is happening below the surface of the #ocean, including providing information on #biodiversity and its change over time. This valuable data also supports the development of the #BlueEconomy. The latest Fugro Planet Beyond podcast discusses an ambitious endeavour to #map seagrass around the coast of Italy – a critical activity considering its vital role in mitigating the impacts of climate change by absorbing CO2 but also in providing a habitat for marine species. ✔ Listen to the podcast to hear what International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Director John Nyberg, PhD has to say about data standards and how they can support Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). ✔ Marco Filippone, solution director for #OceanScience and #Hydrography at Fugro provides an overview of technology and how efficiency can be improved through an integrated use of the different solutions. ✔ With Giordano Giorgi from the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). ✔ Presented by Jon Baston-Pitt. https://lnkd.in/dbeeWjc5 #HydrographicData #CoastalMapping #Biodiversity #MarineScience #SeagrassMapping #EnvironmentalData #MarineProtectedAreas #OceanScience #Hydrography #DataStandards #S122 #FugroPodcast #Seagrass #Posidonia #CarbonStorage #MediterraneanSea #IHO #ISPRA #OceanMapping #MarineResearch #DataAccessibility #Collaboration #EnvironmentalProtection #MarineBiodiversity #CoastalConservation
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Happy World Maritime Day! The IHO’s vision to support #safe #navigation and #sustainable #maritime #activities is very much in line with this year’s theme "Navigating the Future: Safety First!". Around the world National Hydrographic Offices survey and chart the waters within their jurisdictions, providing mariners with the essential information needed for safe navigation. Plus the upcoming implementation of the Universal Hydrographic Data Model (S-100) as of January 2026 is paving the way for smart navigation and autonomous shipping and will further improve safety and efficiency in the future. Because of these linkages, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the International Maritime Organization have a long-standing relationship and cooperation in the field of #hydrography and its practical applications (navigational warnings, search and rescue etc). By mapping water depth, the shape of the seafloor and coastline, and the location of obstructions and other physical features, hydrography helps ensure the safety and efficiency of maritime transportation operations and decrease the number of accidents. As the shipping industry continues to grow, the need for accurate, up-to-date hydrographic data has become increasingly important. To celebrate #WorldMaritimeDay the IHO lit up its reception in blue. #WorldMaritimeDay #Shipping #MarineSafety
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The Baltic States are leading the way in the implementation of S-100, the Universal Hydrographic Data Model: eight out of the nine countries are set to begin the regionally coordinated provision of S-101 Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs) and high-resolution bathymetry datasets (S-102) in 2026 with significant coverage of key shipping routes and important harbours in the region. This was one of the main outcomes of the meeting of the Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission (BSHC) which took place last week in Tallinn, Estonia. Members also discussed #NavigationalWarnings, #MarineSpatialPlanning, Uncrewed #Survey #Technology and #National #Survey Programmes among others. During the meeting Germany presented an #AI-driven, self-learning methodology for the automated detection of boulders in multibeam data sheets. Germany also extended an offer to share this knowledge with interested neighbouring countries. Other topics of discussion included establishing services for Surface Currents (S-111) and Water Level (S-104) information, sea weather information, the harmonization of vertical datum, and ENC gridding schemes. The commission is chaired by Olavi Heinlo National Hydrographer of Estonia and the IHO Secretariat was represented by Secretary-General Dr Mathias Jonas. With the participation of Kristjan Truu, from the Maritime Division of Transpordiamet - Estonian Transport Administration. #SurveyTechnology #NationalSurveyPrograms #NavigationalWarnings #MarineSpatialPlanning #BalticSea #Hydrography #BSHC #S100 #ENC #Bathymetry #AI #WaterLevel #SurfaceCurrents #HydrographicData #OceanMapping #SustainableNavigation #IHO
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#Marine #Spatial #Data Infrastructure, #Capacity Building, #Maritime #Safety, and #Crowd-Sourced #Bathymetry were just some of the topics discussed at the 20th Meeting of the #Southern #African and #Islands #Hydrographic #Commission (SAIHC) in Kisumu, #Kenya! The SAIHC provided the opportunity to highlight many success stories in the region, including the completion of hydrographic surveys, the production of new products for navigation, and an increasing awareness about the future of the✅ S-100 landscape, the universal hydrographic data model. This meeting continued to exemplify the commitment of SAIHC members to continuously showcase and promote advancements in hydrography in #Africa. Angus Essenhigh, discussed some of the accomplishments and challenges facing the commission in his opening remarks and was followed by Her Excellency, Amb. Nancy Karigithu, from Kenya, who provided the keynote speech. She highlighted the importance of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) as a forum to bring together member states to enhance safety through collaboration. The meeting also featured a ✅ ‘Hydrographic Awareness’ Seminar and several industry presentations from leaders in the field, such as Oshen, AML Oceanographic Ltd., EOMAP , KONGSBERG Discovery, Sealand Mapping, Amaza Surveys, Underwater Surveys, TCarta, Teledyne Geospatial, and the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD). Various working groups (WG) and committees, including the African Great Lakes & Rivers Sub-WG and Seabed 2030 also took the opportunity to present progress and plan for the upcoming year. Lucy Fieldhouse, the Capacity Building (CB) chair, updated the Commission on CB opportunities and progress. She highlighted upcoming funded training opportunities and the ✅‘#EmpoweringWomen in #Hydrography’ project. The African Great Lakes Sub-WG reported on initiatives in the region, including a comprehensive IALA Lake Victoria technical mission in September 2024.
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The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is pleased to introduce its new Outreach & Communication Assistant and “Empowering Women in Hydrography (EWH)” Project Assistant, Luz Verónica Delvasto Algarín. Luz is an Oceanographer and a certified Cat “A” Hydrographer from the Escuela Naval de Cadetes "Almirante Padilla" Oficial where she served as an officer for almost two years. She then transitioned to focus on scientific communications, researching environmental issues such as climate change and seafood toxicity for scientific podcasts focused on environmental sustainability and human well-being. Luz recently graduated with honors with an MSc in Ocean Science, Conservation, and Innovation from the Université Côte d'Azur. Key highlights of her experience include her effective use of digital platforms and a keen interest in social media engagement. Luz has also volunteered with marine conservation NGOs, where she learned how to develop social media content to raise environmental awareness. Her experiences have taught her the importance of science communication, especially in making marine-related concepts and discoveries accessible to the general public. Luz is excited to contribute to the IHO by promoting the significance of hydrography and highlighting key IHO activities that improve ocean literacy by charting the seas and ensuring safe navigation. She will be working with the IHO Public Relations and Communication Officer Sarah Jones-Couture. For her work on the Empowering Women in Hydrography project, her position is partially funded thanks to financial contributions from Denmark, Norway, and Belgium. #EmpoweringWomenInHydrography #OceanScience #MarineConservation #EnvironmentalSustainability #ScienceCommunication #OceanLiteracy #Hydrography #IHO
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The 20th Meeting of the #Southern #African and #Islands #Hydrographic #Commission (SAIHC) is currently underway in Kisumu, #Kenya! This year’s meeting featured a ‘Hydrographic Awareness’ Seminar, which provided in-depth insights into coastal state responsibilities, primary charting authorities, the process for submitting chart updates, and chart production—emphasizing the vital role hydrography plays in ensuring safe and sustainable navigation. The seminar was conducted by the UK Hydrographic Office and SAIHC capacity-building coordinator Lucy Fieldhouse and Nick Swadling, with support from IHO funds and the UK Gender Balance fund. Participants included representatives from Angola, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). #Hydrography #SAIHC #Navigation #SustainableSeas #MarineSafety #CoastalStateResponsibilities #IHO #CapacityBuilding