The International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) was proud to take part in the global celebrations of World Marine Aids to Navigation Day 2025, hosted this year at the historic Trinity House in London between 30 June and 2 July. The event, organized under the aegis of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) by the United Kingdom (Trinity House and the Northern Lighthouse Board), brought together maritime experts, industry leaders, and government officials from around the world to explore the evolving role of physical Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) in an increasingly digital maritime world.
This year marked a milestone for IALA, as it was the first World AtoN Day celebrated since the organization officially became an intergovernmental organization—a major step toward strengthening international cooperation for maritime safety and sustainability.
IFAN’s presence and support
Catherine Mulvihill, CEO of IFAN, along with IFAN’s Chair, Guy Mason, and Mahdi Al-Mousawi and Younes Awadh representing IFAN’s operational arm, the Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS). The team joined peers from government and industry to reaffirm IFAN’s long-standing commitment to ensuring that safe navigation and marine environmental protection go hand in hand.
In his keynote address, IALA Secretary-General Francis Zachariae publicly thanked IFAN for its sponsorship and support of this year’s event. Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with UK Minister for Aviation and Maritime, Mike Kane, and HRH Princess Anne of the United Kingdom, who delivered a keynote during the commemorations.
A Global Conversation on Maritime Safety and Innovation
Under the theme “The Role of Physical Aids to Navigation in a Digital Future,” this year’s World AtoN Day addressed how time-tested navigation tools like buoys, beacons, and lighthouses continue to serve as critical infrastructure, especially in regions with limited digital coverage or high vulnerability to cyber threats.
Discussions emphasized the need for an integrated approach to navigation—one that blends digital innovation with robust physical systems to meet the realities of maritime operations across diverse geographies. For IFAN, this message is core to its mission: ensuring that Aids to Navigation are not only maintained but continuously strengthened to support a safer, more sustainable ocean economy.
“At IFAN, we believe that the foundation of ocean protection is safe and informed navigation,” said Catherine Mulvihill. “That’s why we invest in physical Aids to Navigation around the world, while also supporting efforts to prepare the sector for future digital transformations.”
What is World Marine Aids to Navigation Day?
World Marine Aids to Navigation Day was established by IALA’s 13th General Assembly on 29 May 2018 and is celebrated annually on 1 July, the date of IALA’s founding. The goal of the day is to raise global awareness about the importance of marine Aids to Navigation and the technical work that underpins their implementation and safety standards worldwide. The first celebration took place in 2019, and each year since has built stronger connections between countries, sectors, and communities invested in safe maritime operations.
IFAN’s Role in Global AtoN Development
As a long-time member and strategic partner of IALA, IFAN plays a unique role in bridging maritime safety and marine protection.
From installing and maintaining critical infrastructure across the Middle East – through MENAS – to funding global training and advocacy efforts, IFAN continues to champion the principle that navigation safety is ocean conservation, when it’s done with care.
Through initiatives like the Navigate with Care Campaign, ocean literacy training for AtoN managers, and the development of tools such as Ocean Matcher, IFAN ensures that safety at sea supports sustainability on land and beneath the surface.
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About IFAN:
The International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing maritime safety, protecting marine ecosystems, and strengthening global navigation capabilities. IFAN ensures safer and more efficient shipping routes while minimizing environmental risks by supporting projects focused on enhancing Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) frameworks, developing technical expertise, and providing AtoN infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships, funding, and technical expertise, IFAN plays a pivotal role in securing safe, sustainable global waterways and safeguarding the world’s ocean for future generations.
For more information on IFAN’s ongoing efforts to support marine Aids to Navigation worldwide, visit: ifan-maritime.org
To learn more about World Aids to Navigation Day, go to: https:https://www.iala.int/news-events/world-marine-aids-to-navigation-day///www.iala.int/news-events/world-marine-aids-to-navigation-day/