Reliable port calls start with reliable information.

There was little fanfare when a document entitled Functional Definitions for Nautical Port Information was circulated among shipping companies and other maritime stakeholders by the International Harbour Masters’ Association (IHMA) and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) in September.

Yet these definitions will standardise terms for port calls and operations and are set to make a considerable difference to vessel movements throughout the world, providing consistency in the exchange of information such as navigable depths, admissions and safe departures.