Delivered: Marine Geospatial Information Programme in Category "B" - Achieved Successfully
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) recently concluded a three-phase training programme focused on nautical cartography, which saw eight trainees from Bahrain, Cuba, Ecuador, the Philippines (2), Republic of Korea (2), and Viet Nam hone their skills in marine geospatial information, data assessment, and chart compilation.
Phase 1 of the programme, held between 2015 and 2017, focused on the foundations of marine geospatial information, marine data assessment, and basic compilation for paper charts. Phase 2 delved into advanced compilation for paper and electronic navigational charts, while Phase 3 concentrated on marine spatial data infrastructures and remote sensing for hydrographers.
The programme, run by the Capacity Building Fund of the IHO and sponsored by the RoK from 2015 to 2017, was delivered from 3 to 28 July 2017 at the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA), Busan, Republic of Korea. Each trainee will become a qualified Category "B" cartographer upon completion of the final project.
While the IHO's 2025 Work Programme references strategic tasks relevant to marine geospatial information and the advancement of hydrographic services standards, it does not explicitly list scheduled Category "B" sessions or their details. The best source for precise and up-to-date information on future Category "B" sessions, as published in IHO Circular Letters, is directly from the IHO website or their official communication channels.
The trainees will apply the knowledge and skills they've learned to their home countries, and it is expected that they will pass on this knowledge to other colleagues in their respective countries. The programme continues KHOA's collaboration with the IHO for capacity building, and KHOA has expressed its intention to continue this collaboration in the future.
It is worth noting that the programme was recognised as Category "B" by the FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers (IBSC) in April 2014.
For those interested in staying informed about future sessions of the Category "B" Marine Geospatial Information Programme, we recommend consulting the latest IHO Circular Letters directly from the IHO website or through their official communication channels. We can also guide you on how to access current IHO Circular Letters or summarize the typical contents of Category "B" programme sessions based on past examples.
[1] 2025 IHO Work Programme document: https://www.iho.int/publications-and-guides/iho-work-programme [2] IHO Standards and Specifications page: https://www.iho.int/standards-and-specifications
- The trainees, armed with their new skills in hydrographic survey and marine spatial data, will return to their home countries to implement their learning in their respective education-and-self-development sectors, potentially influencing the advancement of hydrographic services in those regions.
- To learn about upcoming Category "B" sessions for the Marine Geospatial Information Programme, individuals can visit the IHO website or official communication channels, where they can find detailed information on the scheduled sessions, as outlined in the IHO Circular Letters.
