News archive

World Hydrography Day

The IHO has released a new video for World Hydrography Day which highlights the relationship between hydrography and autonomous technologies. This includes aerial, surface and underwater survey drones as well as autonomous ships.

New IHO guidelines for hydrographic geospatial data

The IHO has published new guidelines for the development of product specifications for the creation of hydrographic geospatial data.

New director elected at the IHO

Following the postponement of the IHO Assembly due to the covid-19 pandemic, the IHO Secretariat initiated a remote voting procedure to fill the position of IHO Director which will become vacant in September 2020.

Vital services continue around the world

Despite the covid-19 pandemic and many people across the world having to work from home, Hydrographic Offices around the globe can be proud of the work they are doing to continue to ensure safety at sea and other vital maritime services. Hydrographic Offices have had to adapt to new circumstances and are successfully ensuring that critical operations move forwards. Maritime Safety Information continues to be shared, NAVAREAs covered, and even the production and maintenance of digital nautical charts (ENCs) and relevant online marine data services is continuing despite constraints linked with the pandemic.

Election of the IHO Director

Due to the current covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent postponement of the IHO Assembly, the IHO is implementing a remote election process to fill the IHO Director position. Member States will be able to vote either digitally or by mail for their preferred candidate, and have been asked to indicate to the Secretariat their preferred voting method by May 1st. The deadline for States to cast either their paper-based or digital votes is June 1st 2020 (digital voting will be open from 10 May to 1 June)

New date for IHO Assembly

IHO Assembly postponed

In the context of the growing global health crisis linked to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the IHO Secretary-General in liaison with the Council Chair and the Monaco Government have come to the decision to postpone the 2nd Session of the IHO Assembly originally planned 21 to 24 April.

Using hydrography to adapt to a changing ocean

The marine environment is constantly changing, whether due to variations in the climate, extreme environmental events, or simply the natural movement of tides and currents. Up-to-date hydrographic information enables countries to measure and adapt to these changes.