It is with great pleasure that, on behalf of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), I am inviting all Members of our Association and Marine Authorities to meet together on the occasion of the 17th IALA Conference 21st to 27th March 2010 in Cape Town.

The National Member of South Africa, Transnet National Ports Authority in cooperation with the City of Cape Town has spared no effort in organising this event which, once again, will provide an unique opportunity for our members and other stakeholders in the marine industry to exchange information with their colleagues from all over the World and meet their suppliers or customers.

The six conference days in Cape Town are devoted to benefit from the experience, ideas and advice from colleagues. New technologies in connection with all aspects of Aids to Navigation will be presented, all with one aim: to further improve worldwide safety at sea and protection of the marine environment.

With the ambitious theme: “Aids to Navigation-A Global Approach: All waters, all risks, all solutions” IALA is committed to deliver a professional, compact and interesting program of high standard. Technical developments are coming fast and should be used to improve the quality of Aids to Navigation, at the same time the demand for lower costs without increasing the risks puts pressure on managers.

The Conference will provide a holistic presentation schedule where real solutions, technical benefits, cost saving, quality management and risk assessment will be dealt with. The future is coming with the development of e-Navigation, virtual aids and domain awareness through the improvement of VTS and AIS. Digital techniques also serve traditional Aids to Navigation, which will continue to play an important role in the services provided in the future, as we learned at the Shanghai IALA Conference in 2006. However the environment in which Aids to Navigation are deployed is far from virtual, IALA will never forget this and presentations will all relate to a mix of real applications which can benefit the mariner.

In addition to the broad technical programme, the IALA Conference will also give Members the opportunity to be informed of the work carried out over the past four years, decide on the future orientation of IALA through the General Assembly and elect the new IALA Council that will lead the Association until 2014.

The many active Industrial Members of IALA will also be there to present their latest products and services within the Industrial Exhibition. Indeed, a great opportunity to be updated on what is available on the market.

This is the first IALA Conference on the African continent and a special session has been devoted to African matters. It is well known that maritime safety and protection of the marine environment in Africa will benefit from cooperation and assistance. We hope the African Marine Safety Authorities from the different countries will take the benefit of the Conference being on their continent and COME TO THE CONFERENCE.

Take advantage of your membership of IALA. THIS IS YOUR CONFERENCE. BE PART OF IT! I look forward to seeing you in Cape Town.



Torsten Kruuse
Secretary General of IALA

On behalf of Transnet National Ports Authority we hereby wish to inform you that registration is now open for the 17th IALA Conference being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa.

I am proud to say that planning for the conference is at an advanced stage and is well on track. The Conference Organising Committee has been working hard to ensure that we deliver a great and memorable conference. This is an exceptional event – not only for Transnet National Ports Authority and South Africa, but for Africa as a whole. It is the first time that this prestigious event will be held on the African continent.

The conference will bring together the worlds top leaders and decision makers in the field of marine aids to navigation under the theme “Aids to Navigation – A global Approach: All waters, all risks, all solutions”. The conference programme features ten technical sessions as well as occasions to meet important practitioners in less formal settings.

The Industrial Members Exhibition is steadily filling up and will showcase cutting edge marine aids to navigation technology, supporting the entire spectrum of products and services, including the reduction and management of risks associated with the industry.

Included in this 2nd announcement are further details about the exhibition and the conference - the registration deadlines, registration fees, Accompanying Persons Programme, Pre- and Post Conference tours as well as other information.

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), the City of Cape Town and the people of South Africa look forward to extending Africa’s warmest welcome to you in 2010.

We look forward to your presence at the 17th IALA conference as we share a memorable and enlightening week together.



David Gordon
Senior Manager: Lighthouse Services (TNPA); and
Project Sponsor: IALA 2010 Conference