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:
Dates: Tuesday 13 May 2025.
Location: Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara.
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.
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.
JICA’s Solomon Islands Representative thanked project teams and stakeholders.
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.
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.
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.
The Seminar:
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.
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 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 |