Pilotage and Aids to Navigation

The International Maritime Pilots' Association (IMPA) and the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) represent two distinct but complementary contributors to the safety of navigation. Maritime pilotage guides individual ships through hazardous waters using qualified personnel on board; aids to navigation (AtoN), including vessel traffic services (VTS), are external systems that support safe and efficient navigation more broadly. The two organisations cooperate formally while respecting their separate areas of expertise.

What are aids to navigation (AtoN)?

IALA defines an aid to navigation as a device, system or service, external to vessels, designed and operated to enhance the safe and efficient navigation of individual vessels and vessel traffic. Vessel traffic services (VTS) and buoyage systems are examples of aids to navigation within the IALA domain. 

Why is pilotage not an aid to navigation?

Maritime pilotage is the recommended or mandatory direction of a ship's navigation by suitably qualified and licensed personnel, typically on board the vessel. It is a service established by governments which, in the words of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), contributes more effectively to the safety of navigation than any other measure (IMO Resolution A.159(ES.IV)). Pilotage is outside the scope of SOLAS regulation V/12 (vessel traffic services) and V/13 (aids to navigation), and the IMO does not involve itself in pilotage systems in different countries (IMO resolution A.960(23)). 

About IALA

IALA works to foster the safe, economic and efficient movement of vessels by improving and harmonising aids to navigation worldwide, for the benefit of the maritime community and the protection of the environment. Its work is consultative, recommendatory and technical in nature. 

The IMPA–IALA Cooperative Agreement

IMPA and IALA hold a Cooperative Agreement, renewed in 2024, committing both organisations to work together to further the safety of navigation while respecting their respective areas of expertise. Under it, IMPA participates in IALA's technical committees, contributing navigation and pilotage expertise as those committees develop recommendations, guidelines and model courses (standardised training syllabi) related to IALA Standards.

IMPA's role in IALA committees

VTS Committee

 The Committee produces recommendations, guidelines and model courses related to IALA Standards for vessel traffic services. IMPA usually participates in the working group dealing with the operational aspects of VTS, where pilots' practical experience is directly relevant.

Digital Technologies (DTEC) Committee

The Committee has three working groups covering digital information systems, emerging digital technologies, and digital communications. IMPA usually participates in the emerging digital technologies working group, reflecting the forward-looking approach IMPA and its members take to technology that may enhance the performance of pilotage as a public service.

Find out more

If you would like to know more about IMPA's work at IALA, contact the IMPA Secretariat at office@impahq.org.

More information on the work of IALA and the IALA World-Wide Academy is available IALA.int