Lanka's role in Indian Ocean hydrography commended

by Mohammed Naalir

The 13th North Indian Ocean Hydrographic Commission Meeting was held last week in Myanmar. More than 15 nations including Sri Lanka. United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, India and Pakistan participated at the joint meeting, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Chairman Dr. S.G. Samarasundera said.

He said the North Indian Ocean Hydrographic Commission is held every year with the participation of its member countries to discuss and take action regarding issues concerning Indian Ocean hydrography. Hydrography is an important area to understand and produce navigational routes and charts for all types of maritime transportation.

An area which drew attention at the Commission meeting was the improvement and upgrading of navigational charts produced by the member countries.

The United Kingdom and India highlighted the rapid improvement of the Sri Lanka National Hydroprahic Office (NHO) in producing high quality navigational charts and pointed out the potential for Sri Lanka to develop its paper charts in to electronic digital charts which only a few member nations are currently capable of, according to Dr. Samarasundera.

He said the United Kingdom agreed to support Sri Lanka in training and to assist in producing electronic charts. Admiral Tom Karsten, Head of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) of the Royal Navy expressed his sincere appreciation in UKHO working with Sri Lanka since 2006 and confirmed that they will continue to work with Sri Lanka to develop its hydrographic activities.

The NARA Chairman said Sri Lanka is on a journey to become a maritime hub in Asia with the new Hambanthota Port, Colombo Port expansion and other new ports such as Oluvil.

Upgrading and developing hydrography are timely requirements and the effort put in by NARA NHO was highly appreciated by most member states. The new research vessel of NARA is expected to play a major role in the Indian Ocean region.

Discussions were held on how all Indian Ocean region nations should work together in maritime issues and how well the member states should develop the relationship in working together towards a sustainable future and work to make the blue economy a reality in the region, he said.

Chairman of the International Hydrographic Organization Admiral Mustafa Iptes also expressed the commitment of the International Hydrographic Office of Monaco to provide funding, technical support and training to Sri Lanka to further improve the maritime and hydrographic area and congratulated Sri Lanka on developing rapidly in the region as an important stakeholder in the Indian Ocean region.

Dr. Sayuru Samarasundera, Chairman of NARA and M.A. Ariyawansa,Chief Hydrographer of NHO represented Sri Lanka at the event.