Global Maritime Directory

International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)




Find us on the mapStreet Address: 4 quai Antoine 1er, B.P. 445
Post Code:
MC 98011
City: Monaco
Country: France

International cooperation in the field of hydrography began witha Conference held in Washington in 1899, followed by two othersin Saint Petersburg, in 1908 and 1912. In 1919, twenty-four nationsmet in London for a Hydrographic Conference, during which it wasdecided that a permanent body should be created. The resultingInternational Hydrographic Bureau began its activity in 1921 withnineteen Member States. At the invitation of H.S.H. Prince Albert Iof Monaco, a noted marine scientist, the Bureau was provided withheadquarters in the Principality of Monaco

In 1970, an intergovernmental Convention entered into force which changed the Organization'sname and legal status, creating the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), with itsheadquarters (the IHB) permanently established in Monaco. The Organization currently has amembership of seventy four maritime States, with several others in the process of becomingMembers.

The International Hydrographic Organization is an intergovernmental consultative and technicalorganization that was established in 1921 to support the safety in navigation and the protectionof the marine environment.

The object of the Organization is to bring about: * The coordination of the activities of national hydrographic offices * The greatest possible uniformity in nautical charts and documents * The adoption of reliable and efficient methods of carrying out and exploiting hydrographic surveys * The development of the sciences in the field of hydrography and the techniques employed in descriptive oceanography.

The official representative of each Member Government within the IHO is normally the nationalHydrographer, or Director of Hydrography, and these persons, together with their technicalstaff, meet at 5-yearly intervals in Monaco for an International Hydrographic Conference. TheConference reviews the progress achieved by the Organization and adopts the programmes tobe pursued during the ensuing 5-year period. A Directing Committee of three seniorhydrographers is elected to administer the work of the Bureau during that time.

This Directing Committee, together with a small international staff of technical experts inhydrography and nautical cartography, coordinates the technical programmes and providesadvice and assistance to Member States. All Member States have an equal voice in arriving atagreed solutions to problems of standardization and in programming the work of the Bureau,whilst any Member may initiate new proposals for IHO consideration and adoption. BetweenConferences such matters are normally accomplished by correspondence.

Hydrography is that branch of applied sciences which deals with the measurement anddescription of the features of the seas and coastal areas for the primary purpose of navigationand all other marine purposes and activities, including –inter alia- offshore activities, research,protection of the environment, and prediction services.

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Phone: +377 93 10 81 00
Fax: + 377 93 10 81 40
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://www.iho.shom.fr/
Date added: 2008-08-01 18:25:24    Hits: 57
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