UKHO reflects on successful participation at IHO Assembly 4
The UK Hydrographic Office's participation at the 4th International Hydrographic Organization Assembly (IHO), held in Monaco.
Delegation at the International Hydrographic Organization's (IHO) 4th edition of Assembly
On the 20 April, the UK Hydrographic Office represented the UK at the International Hydrographic Organization’s (IHO) 4th session of Assembly. Taking place in Monaco, Assembly convened 88 IHO Member States to agree the general guidance on the functioning and work of the organization.
Held every three years, Assembly is the IHO’s principal decision-making forum for Member States to agree strategic direction, work plans, budgets, and leadership appointments. It has become a central event for the global hydrographic community since it was established in 2017.
The Assembly focuses on key issues such as the future of nautical charting, digital transformation, data standardisation, and marine spatial data infrastructure. It serves as the culmination of extensive work undertaken across several committees and working groups, where subject matter experts contribute to shaping global hydrographic standards and policies.
For many Member States, Assembly is a unique opportunity to engage internationally. It also reinforces the IHO’s role as a standards-setting body influencing International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) regulations, with decisions impacting global hydrographic operations and maritime safety.
Sharing progress and collaboration
Representing the UK, members of our partnering and engagement teams, technical experts, and UKHO leadership engaged with peers in the Member State exhibition hall.
On the UKHO stand, visitors had the opportunity to learn about how the UKHO is collaborating with other hydrographic offices to test S-100 in confined waters. Delivered through the IHO’s international testbed and conducted at Carnival Corporation’s CSMART – Center for Simulator Maritime Training facility, the trials brought together four hydrographic offices and maritime industry representatives to help build a shared global, evidence-based understanding of how S-100 can be implemented in practice, and what is required to support safe and effective adoption across the industry. These trials also highlight the role the IHO plays in supporting the wider hydrographic community by enabling the validation of its standards, which is essential to the successful implementation of S‑100 Electronic Chart and Display Information Systems (ECDIS) in line with IMO requirements.
Alongside this, UKHO technical experts shared insights about a wider trial programme designed to test S-100 data with real-world users ahead of operational readiness.
The video below explains how the S‑100 testing was carried out at CSMART, and how the results are helping hydrographic offices understand what is needed for safe implementation:
S-100 in confined waters: an official IHO testbed and sea trial
The stand also provided an opportunity to discuss the UKHO’s ongoing work with technology providers to sustain the long-term future of paper chart production. The Assembly brought peers together to discuss the shared challenge of ensuring continued access to paper charts, whilst demand for them changes globally.
It also demonstrated how the UKHO has contributed to innovations that automatically generate paper charts from Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data. As something other national hydrographic offices will also be experiencing, many positive conversations were had to share and further understand how the UKHO will ensure continued access to paper charts.
Find out more about how the UKHO is sustaining the future of paper charts.
Strengthening international partnerships
With a total of 88 other Member States in attendance, the 4th edition of Assembly presented a great opportunity for members of the UKHO’s partnering and engagement teams to meet with their counterparts from other national hydrographic offices.
This edition of Assembly was significant as six new Member States, Cape Verde, Kiribati, The Gambia, The Bahamas, Lithuania and Panama marked their accession to the IHO by presenting their national flags which is in accordance with tradition. Coinciding with this, elections were held to appoint the IHO’s next Secretary-General and Director. Rear Admiral Luigi Sinapi of the Italian Hydrographic Institute was elected Secretary-General, and Mr Adam Greenland of the New Zealand Hydrographic Authority was elected Director.
Assembly provided the perfect opportunity for the UKHO to arrange the signing of bilateral arrangements. Over the course of the event, discussions were had with international colleagues to build on existing relationships, as well as form new ones, with the objective of sharing hydrographic information and expertise to support safe navigation of vessels worldwide.
On Wednesday 22 April, the UKHO signed its first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kiribati Hydrographic Unit – the UKHO’s official data partner for the Republic of Kiribati. At Assembly, Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh OBE, National Hydrographer and Director of Data Acquisition and Defence met with Captain Ruoikabuti (Roy) Tioon, Director Marine Division, from the Kiribati Ministry of Information, Communication and Transport. The MoU formalises our role as Primary Charting Authority (PCA) and strengthening long‑term collaboration on hydrographic services and maritime safety. This agreement establishes a clear framework for ongoing data sharing, technical support, and capacity development.
The signing also coincides with the successful completion of the UKHO’s work on the Kiribati Outer Island Transport Infrastructure Investment Project (KOITIIP) in January 2026, which has enhanced the quality, coverage, and accessibility of hydrographic data for Kiribati. Together, these achievements represent a transition from project-based delivery to an enduring partnership, supporting safer navigation, sustainable development, and strengthening in-country capability.
RAdm Angus Essenhigh OBE and Captain Ruoikabuti (Roy) Tioon, Director Marine Division, Kiribati Ministry of Information, Communication and Transport
Along with the Republic of Kiribati, Assembly allowed for great engagements with other PCA partners. A focused discussion took place with the Fijian Chief Hydrographer, during which, the UKHO presented a potential approach to developing a regional ‘Centre of Excellence’ over a five‑year period. This was positively received and discussions continued to include how to collaborate in a prioritised way, using limited resources to deliver professional support in our role as PCA.
Empowering women in hydrography
The UKHO also jointly hosted a lunchtime seminar with the IHO on ‘Increasing Gender Balance in Hydrography: Initiatives Around the World, Progress & Way Ahead.’ The session brought together the community to share experiences, insights and progress on gender balance.
Lucy Fieldhouse, International Capacity Development Manager, UKHO, delivered a presentation to showcase our ongoing commitment to the IHO’s ‘Empowering Women in Hydrography’ programme. Lucy’s presentation highlighted the progress made at an organisational level and the wider benefits of pursuing diversity in hydrography. A diverse workforce strengthens decision making, brings a broader range of perspectives, and helps hydrographic offices respond more effectively to the changing demands of the maritime industry.
Lucy also highlighted the UKHO’s support through the UK’s Gender Balance Fund. To date, the fund has supported 15 women around the world, providing access to international training, internships, secondments and participation at IHO events.
Nathalie Balcaen, from the Flemish Hydrographic Office, also presented during the session, sharing perspectives from her organisation’s work within the international hydrographic community.
The UKHO and IHO’s joint lunchtime seminar
The presentation was followed by a panel discussion featuring female panellists from several Member States. Moderated by Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh OBE, Nicolette le Roux, National Hydrographer of South Africa, Bernice Mahabier, Manager Nautical Affairs, Maritime Authority Suriname, Sulueti Savou, Petty Officer, Fijian Hydrographic Office, Republic of Fiji Navy and Annette Wilkinson, Senior Hydrographic Surveyor, New Zealand Hydrographic Authority, all generously gave their time to share personal experiences, perspectives, examples of the support they have received and the challenges they faced.
The session fostered open discussion between women from a variety of backgrounds, some having worked for over 20 years in the maritime industry, and others who have specific naval experience. The different perspectives demonstrated how across the hydrographic community there is shared commitment to improving gender balance, while recognising that barriers and lived realities can vary between organisations and regions.
Conversations continued after the lunchtime seminar, with representatives from Member States sharing insights on the support they have received and where further action is needed to raise awareness and empower women in hydrography.
The video below features voices from across the global hydrographic community, sharing their experiences and perspectives on gender balance in the sector.
Supporting the IHO Women in Hydrography Programme
The 4th session of the IHO Assembly offered space to reflect on progress, shared challenges and the strength of international collaboration in hydrography. The discussions demonstrated how collective expertise, the sharing of knowledge and learnings, and continued efforts to support the industry with S-100 trials and operational readiness continue to underpin safe navigation across the global maritime community.