Seminar on E-Navigation on Our Ocean, 13 May 2025, Honiara

/ 06/14/2025

Purpose & Objective

The Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) jointly implemented a project to develop Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) for key Solomon Islands ports. The seminar was held on 13 May 2025 to launch the first official ENC for Honiara Port and highlight hydrography’s role in ocean governance and maritime safety.

The seminar aimed to:

• Launch the first ENC for Solomon Islands waters.
• Present progress and impacts of the SIMA-JICA project.
• Discuss the role of hydrography in national ocean governance and development.
• Explore next steps for e-navigation and capacity development.

Meeting Arrangements

Dates: Tuesday 13 May 2025.

Location: Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara.

Proceeding & discussion points

Opening

The Deputy Chair of the SIMA Board opened the seminar. The Ambassador of Japan praised the collaboration, and the Minister of Infrastructure Development delivered the keynote, highlighting the project’s strategic benefits.

ENC Launching

The Honiara Port ENC was officially launched through a presentation and video demo, showing how ENCs work within ECDIS systems. The ceremony concluded with symbolic chart handovers.

Vote of Thanks

JICA’s Solomon Islands Representative thanked project teams and stakeholders.

Session 1: Hydrography in Ocean Governance

Key messages were delivered via video from the IHO, speeches from the Hydrographers of Australia and Japan, and presentations by JICA and SIMA. A panel discussion addressed maritime boundaries, S-100 standards, and the importance of coordinated ocean data management.

Session 2: E-Navigation for All in Solomon Islands

This session presented the ENC project’s achievements and future directions. Presenters emphasized how improved charting supports safety, trade, and environmental management. Discussions covered the implementation of S-100 standards and the development of accessible digital navigation tools.

Pacific One Maritime Framework (POMF)

SIMA introduced POMF as a regional strategy to harmonize maritime development. Emphasis was placed on the role of e-navigation and S-100 standards in advancing regional safety, sustainability, and connectivity.

Closing & Outcome

The Seminar:​

• Recognised the impact of SIMA-JICA Project on Development Support of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) in Solomon Islands and applauded the launch of the first ever ENC.
• Recognised the tripartite collaboration between Australia, Japan and Solomon Islands to support hydrographic development and cooperation in Solomon Islands.
• Called development partners to further support Solomon Islands commitment to the advancement of hydrographic capabilities as stated in the Tulagi Declaration.
• Requested the Solomon Islands Government, SIMA and development partners to continue to maximise opportunities and build capacity for hydrographic data acquisition and management and ensure we explore the 90% unsurveyed part of our ocean.
• Requested the Solomon Islands Government to consider Integrated Ocean Management under the Ocean 12 framework and developing an Ocean Flagship Programme.
• Acknowledged the progress made in developing Solomon Islands hydrographic capabilities and the long-term perspective of developing e-navigation for all and S-100 standards.
• Acknowledged the development of the Pacific One-Maritime Framework (POMF) for the Pacific Islands region and called development partners to support its implementation in particular the implementation of S-100 standards.

The detailed report of the Seminar on E-Navigation on Our Ocean: the Contribution of SIMA-JICA project can be found here. Any complementary information can be requested to John Dalomae, Principal Officer, Safety of Navigation at john.dalomae@sima.gov.sb. The presentations can be downloaded in the event programme below by clicking on the hyperlinks.

Event Programme

Time	Agenda Item	Presenters
Tuesday 13 May 2025
0830 – 0900	Registration	SIMA
OPENING
Master of Ceremony – Diana Vasula
0900 – 0905	Welcome & opening Prayer	Mr. John Hugo Bugoro Deputy Chair, Board of SIMA
0905 – 0915	Opening Address	H.E. Keiichi Higuchi Ambassador of Japan
0915 – 0925	Keynote Address	Hon. Ricky Fuo’o Minister for Infrastructure Development
0925 – 0950	Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) Launching Ceremony	SIMA, JICA & AHO
0950 – 1000	Vote of Thanks	Mr. Takeshi Watanabe JICA Solomon Office Representative
1000 – 1030	Group Photo & Morning Tea
SESSION 1 – The role of hydrography in ocean governance
Facilitator – John Dalomae
1030 – 1040	Messages from our partners: The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)   The Australian Hydrographic Organisation (AHO)   The Japan Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department (JHOD)	Dr. John Nyberg, IHO Director (Video)     Cmdr. Robyn Philips, Hydrographer of Australia   V.Adm. Hideki Kinoshita, Chief Hydrographer (Video)
1040 – 1050	The role and importance of hydrography	JICA Expert
1050 – 1100	The contribution of hydrography to the Solomon Islands Ocean Policy	SIMA Deputy Director
1100 – 1200	Panel Discussion on Maritime Boundary and Continental Shelf Moderator: Thierry Nervale, Director of SIMA Panellists: Team Leader, Ocean Management and Literacy (SPC), Assistant Secretary, Ocean & Climate Change Desk (MFAET), Assistant Director, International Charting Development (AHO) and Deputy Director, Petroleum, MMERE Introductory presentation on maritime boundaries Questions and Comments	Panel
1200 – 1330	Lunch
SESSION 2 – e-navigation for all in Solomon Islands
Facilitator – Allen Ofea
1330 – 1450	Project for Development Support of ENC for Honiara and Noro Port: Outcomes & Result / ENC Demo Impact of JICA Project on safety of Next-generation international standards for navigational information (S-100) international trends and impact to Society Navigation and national economic development Questions and Comments	Mr. Kei Takashita, JICA Vice Chief Adviser Mr. Robert Cario, AHO Assistant Director International Charting Development Mr. Malesi Mani, SIMA Senior Officer Safety of Navigation
1450 – 1520	POMF national consultation Questions and Comments	SIMA
1500-1515	Closing Remarks/Prayer	SIMA
1500 – 1530	Afternoon tea