Completed Delivery of the "Category B" Maritime Geospatial Information Program
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is currently engaged in strategic planning for its 2025 Work Programme, focusing on hydrographic services and standards, including S-100 and hydrographic surveying [1]. However, specific details about the future projects of the Category "B" Marine Geospatial Information Programme are not explicitly mentioned.
Despite this lack of information, there are indications that the IHO's future work may include marine geospatial and hydrographic training programmes. The IIC Academy has scheduled global deliveries of such training programmes for September 2025, which could potentially include the S-8B Marine Geospatial Information Program [2].
It is worth noting that the Category "B" Marine Geospatial Information Programme was recognised by the FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers in April 2014 [3]. The programme has a history of successful delivery, with Phase 3 having been conducted from 3 to 28 July 2017 at the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA), Busan, Republic of Korea [4].
Eight trainees from Bahrain, Cuba, Ecuador, Philippines (2), Republic of Korea (2), and Viet Nam participated in this phase of the programme, receiving comprehensive training on nautical cartography [5]. Upon completion, the trainees will be qualified Category "B" cartographers and will be able to pass on their knowledge and skills to colleagues in their home countries [6].
The programme, run by the Capacity Building Fund of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) from 2015 to 2017, focused on marine geospatial information, marine data assessment, and basic compilation for paper charts in Phase 1, advanced compilation for paper and electronic navigational charts in Phase 2, and marine spatial data infrastructures and remote sensing for hydrographers in Phase 3 [7].
Given the current state of information, the details of future programmes specifically under the Category "B" Marine Geospatial Information Programme from the IHO are not publicly detailed or available. For precise and detailed future plans, it would be necessary to consult the latest official IHO documents or contact the IHO Secretariat directly.
Furthermore, the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA) has expressed its continued collaboration with the IHO for capacity building in the future [8].
For more information on future IHO programmes, please visit the IHO's official website at http://www.iho.int
[1] IHO 2025 Work Programme [2] IIC Academy Training Programmes [3] IBSC Recognition of the Category "B" Marine Geospatial Information Programme [4] Phase 3 of the Category "B" Marine Geospatial Information Programme [5] Trainees of Phase 3 of the Category "B" Marine Geospatial Information Programme [6] Qualification of Trainees and Knowledge Transfer [7] Phases of the Category "B" Marine Geospatial Information Programme [8] KHOA-IHO Collaboration for Future Capacity Building
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) might arrange training programmes for marine geospatial and hydrographic education, such as the S-8B Marine Geospatial Information Program, as suggested by their collaboration with the IIC Academy. The Category "B" Marine Geospatial Information Programme, with a focus on marine spatial data and technology, was previously successful, as demonstrated by its recognition by the FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers in 2014.
