IFAN representatives recently attended the 29th Conference of the Aids to Navigation Fund (ANF) for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), which oversees 51 Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) in the region.
The meeting, held on 16th-17th November in Surabaya, Indonesia, brought together key stakeholders and government representatives from the region to address critical issues related to maritime navigation in the SOMS.
IFAN has been supporting the work of the ANF for the Malacca and Singapore Straits since inception, contributing funding to meet the costs of refurbishing infrastructure and operations.
IFAN’s Chairman, Guy Mason, and Peter Stanley, Chair of IFAN’s Charitable Expenditure Committee, met with government representatives from the host country, Indonesia, as well as Malaysia and Singapore, along with other contributors to the fund, such as the governments of India, Japan and Korea and Saudi Arabia.
The primary objectives of the conference were to review the outcomes of the recent work programme for 2023, to assess the four-year Planned Maintenance Programme, and to review the proposed 2024 work programme while approving the corresponding budget.
The conference was very successful with the collaborative efforts of the attendees ensuring a thorough review of the ongoing initiatives and plans for the future. One of the key highlights of the conference was the review of the four-year Planned Maintenance Programme, a crucial aspect which ensures the continued functionality and reliability of Aids to Navigation, essential for the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic in the region.
The hosts provided excellent hospitality and did a very good job of facilitating the meeting contributing to the positive atmosphere that fostered open and constructive discussions among the participants.