Proposal on the establishment of international Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation circulated for comments

The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on a draft government proposal on the acceptance, approval and enforcement of the Convention on the Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation as well as comments on a draft decree on the Convention.

At its General Assembly in 2014, the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) decided that its status should be changed into that of an official intergovernmental organisation, International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. The change requires a convention that the states will ratify in accordance with their own national procedures. Finland signed the Convention on 8 June 2021. In Finland, the provisions of the Convention that are of a legislative nature would be brought into force by law. Provisions on the Convention's entry into force and provisions of a non-legislative nature in the Convention would be issued by government decree.

The IALA stated that one reason for changing its status was to reinforce the weight of its recommendations. Further aims are to improve and promote safety, economy and performance of maritime transport and to harmonise the navigational aid and vessel traffic services on an international scale. The Convention aims at responding to the concerns relating to maritime safety, at drafting authorities' instructions on best practices and at strengthening good governance and harmonisation.

What's next?

The deadline for comments on the draft is 17 June 2022. All organisations and private individuals may submit comments at www.lausuntopalvelu.fi.

The Convention will enter into force on the ninetieth day after the deposit of the thirtieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Currently, the Convention has been ratified by five states.

The IALA was founded in 1957. Finland has been a member since 1959. Its main representative is the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. After the change in status, the Finnish authorities will continue to take part in the organisation's activities as before, but on the basis of a joint state membership.

Inquiries:

Iida Huhtanen, Senior Officer for Legal Affairs, tel. +358 295 342 613, [email protected]