Ireland has ratified an international convention aimed at ensuring greater harmonization of marine aids to navigation, to ensure the safe and efficient navigation of vessels.

The Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation changes the status of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) from a non-governmental organisation to an inter-governmental organisation (IGO).

The Department of Transport says that IGO status will give further weight to the standards and recommendations of IALA, leading to greater compliance and navigational safety.

'Safe and sustainable'

Minister of State Jack Chambers said: "The last few years have illustrated Ireland's reliance on marine supply chains, with over 90% of goods by volume transported into our ports.

"New opportunities in offshore wind will bring huge benefits and must be planned and managed carefully in conjunction with fisheries, leisure and marine protected areas."

Minister Chambers added that Ireland's membership of IALA would ensure that Ireland contributed proactively at international level to the safe and sustainable development of the shipping-and-maritime sector.

Offshore infrastructure

Irish Lights chief executive Yvonne Shields O'Connor welcomed the Government's support for the ratification of the IALA convention.

She pointed out that increased digitalisation, connectivity, cyber-security, expansion of offshore infrastructure, developments such as autonomous vessels, and changes in trade patterns and climate were some of the key issues being addressed at IALA.

Irish Lights is the organization responsible for providing essential navigation-safety services around the coast of Ireland.

Ireland is the 19th country to ratify the convention, which will come into force when 30 countries have ratified.