**Executive Summary**
The Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), successfully hosted the 3rd Council Meeting of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) in Mumbai from 08–12 December 2025. The meeting, which was virtually inaugurated on 09 December 2025, brought together over 60 international delegates and addressed maritime standards and safety. The IALA Council formally approved the proposed venue for the IALA Conference and General Assembly 2027.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **3rd IALA Council Meeting:**
* Hosted by DGLL, MoPSW, Government of India in Mumbai from 08-12 December 2025.
* Attended by over 60 international delegates from more than 30 countries.
* Inaugurated by Shri Sarbananda Sonowal on 09 December 2025.
* **India's Maritime Role:**
* India is emerging as a global maritime innovator.
* India plays a growing role in shaping international maritime standards.
* India has a maritime domain with over 11,000 km coastline, 200 ports, and 20,000 km navigable waterways.
* **Digital Ticketing Portal:**
* Launched Digital Ticketing Portal for Lighthouse Tourism.
* Aims to enhance digital access, transparency, and visitor convenience across 75 lighthouse tourism destinations.
* **Technical Sessions & Outcomes:**
* Extensive work presented by four IALA Committees: ARM, ENG, VTS, and DTEC.
* Deliberations resulted in updating existing IALA Standards and Guidelines.
* Formulation of new global standards for marine aids to navigation.
* **Site Visit:**
* IALA Council visited the proposed venue for the IALA Conference and General Assembly 2027, which was formally approved.
* Technical tour to Kanhoji Angre Lighthouse.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of India (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways)**
* **Impact:** Showcases India's leadership in the maritime sector and its commitment to global maritime standards, navigation safety, and international cooperation. The successful hosting of the IALA meeting and the launch of the Digital Ticketing Portal will enhance India's reputation and foster collaboration within the global maritime community.
* **Action Required:** Continue active participation in IALA, contributing to global standard-setting, capacity building, technical cooperation, and the advancement of safe navigation practices.
**International Maritime Community (IALA Members)**
* **Impact:** Benefits from updated IALA Standards and Guidelines, enhanced marine aids to navigation, and increased collaboration. The approved IALA Conference and General Assembly 2027 will facilitate further progress in the sector.
* **Action Required:** Engage in ongoing collaboration and contribute to the development of global maritime standards.
**Tourism Sector / Visitors**
* **Impact:** Enhanced digital access, transparency, and visitor convenience for lighthouse tourism through the Digital Ticketing Portal.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the Digital Ticketing Portal for planning and accessing lighthouse tourism destinations.
Key Entities Referenced
International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA): An international organization responsible for harmonizing marine aids to navigation standards.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW): The Indian ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways, which hosted the IALA Council Meeting.
DGLL (Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships): The Indian agency under MoPSW that hosted the 3rd IALA Council Meeting.
Mumbai: The city in India where the 3rd IALA Council Meeting was held.
Digital Ticketing Portal for Lighthouse Tourism: A major initiative aimed at enhancing digital access, transparency, and visitor convenience across 75 lighthouse tourism destinations in the country.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
India Reaffirms Global Maritime Leadership;
DGLL Successfully Hosts 3rd IALA Council
Meeting in Mumbai
प्रव तथ: 16 DEC 2025 8:38PM by PIB Delhi
The Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping
and Waterways (MoPSW), Government of India, successfully hosted the 3rd Council Meeting of the
International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) in Mumbai from 08–12 December 2025.
The high-level meeting brought together over 60 international delegates from more than 30 countries,
reflecting the growing global confidence in India’s leadership in the maritime sector.
The Council Meeting was virtually inaugurated by Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister of
Ports, Shipping and Waterways, on 09 December 2025, in the presence of Shri Vijay Kumar, Secretary
(PSW), and senior officials of the Ministry.
In his address, the Hon’ble Minister stated: “India is emerging as a global maritime innovator under the
leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi . Hosting the IALA Council Meeting in Mumbai reflects
India’s growing role in shaping international maritime standards, strengthening navigation safety, and
advancing digital and sustainable solutions for the global maritime community.”On the occasion, the Hon’ble Minister also launched the Digital Ticketing Portal for Lighthouse Tourism,
a major initiative aimed at enhancing digital access, transparency, and visitor convenience across 75
lighthouse tourism destinations in the country.
Addressing the delegates, Shri Vijay Kumar, Secretary (PSW), highlighted that with over 11,000 km of
coastline, more than 200 ports, and nearly 20,000 km of navigable waterways, India’s maritime domain
serves as a powerhouse of connectivity, trade, and employment. He noted that India, now the world’s
fourth-largest economy, is witnessing a transformative phase in its maritime sector and emphasised the
critical role of marine aids to navigation in supporting the nation’s Blue Economy aspirations.
Mr. Francis Zachariae, Secretary General of IALA, conveyed his appreciation to the Government of India
for successfully hosting the Council Meeting and acknowledged India’s substantive contribution to global
navigation safety and international maritime cooperation.
During the technical sessions of the Council Meeting, extensive work undertaken by the four IALA
Committees, Aids to Navigation Requirements and Management (ARM), Engineering and Sustainability
(ENG), Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), and Digital Technologies (DTEC) was presented and deliberated
upon.The deliberations resulted in the updating of existing IALA Standards and Guidelines, along with the
formulation of new global standards aimed at enhancing and harmonising marine aids to navigation
worldwide.
As part of the programme, the IALA Council visited the proposed venue for the IALA Conference and
General Assembly 2027, which received formal approval from the Council.
A technical tour to the historic Kanhoji Angre Lighthouse, equipped with a First Order Fresnel optic and
advanced marine navigation systems, was also organised. The visit highlighted India’s commitment to
preserving maritime heritage while integrating state-of-the-art technology and was widely appreciated by
the international delegates.
India continues to be an active Council Member of IALA, contributing to global standard-setting, capacity
building, technical cooperation, and the advancement of safe navigation practices in close collaboration
with international partners.
****PN/IY
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