Responding to MarineDeal News’ questions, Rear Admiral Luigi Sinapi, candidate for IHO Secretary-General, emphasized that the IHO must play a proactive and strategic role in global maritime governance by combining science, policy, and diplomacy
Yeşim Yeliz Egeli
Rear Admiral Luigi Sinapi, 58, is an experienced hydrographer and naval officer with a background in both science and the military. He holds advanced degrees in physics and international diplomacy, master’s degrees in marine geomatics and maritime sciences, and an IHO-FIG-ICA Category A Hydrography certificate. He has commanded various ships in the Italian Navy, served as Director of the Italian Hydrographic Institute, and acted as Italy’s National Hydrographer. Since 2020, Sinapi has been a Director at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and as a candidate for Secretary-General, he shared his vision for the IHO’s future and the strategic management of the seas with MarineDeal News readers.
Why are you running for IHO Secretary General now, and what kind of leadership does the IHO need today?
I am running at a time when hydrography is no longer a purely technical discipline, but a strategic enabler within the broader framework of global maritime governance. The oceans are at the center of geopolitical dynamics, from security of navigation to resource competition, from climate change to the sustainable blue economy. In this evolving context, the International Hydrographic Organization must position itself as a key contributor within the United Nations system and in close alignment with the International Maritime Organization. The IHO today requires leadership that can operate at the intersection of science, policy, and diplomacy. My experience across naval operations, scientific research, and international governance allows me to bridge these domains. I believe the Organization must become more proactive, more visible, and more influential in global maritime affairs, capable not only of setting standards, but of shaping the strategic agenda.
How will you ensure that hydrographers’ real conditions are heard and reflected in IHO decisions?
In a geopolitical environment where maritime priorities differ significantly across regions, it is essential that the IHO remains grounded in operational reality. This is particularly relevant when considering the diversity of Member States, from advanced maritime nations to developing coastal states. Strengthening the role of Regional Hydrographic Commissions will be central to this effort, transforming them into true strategic platforms that connect local realities with global decision-making. At the same time, the IHO must enhance its responsiveness to national hydrographic offices, ensuring that policies are not only technically sound but politically and operationally feasible. Only by maintaining this balance can the IHO effectively support Member States while reinforcing its credibility within the wider international system.
What is the most important challenge for hydrography today, and how can the IHO help?
The most pressing challenge is the imbalance in hydrographic capacity, which directly translates into unequal levels of maritime safety, environmental protection, and economic opportunity. This imbalance is not only technical—it is geopolitical. Large portions of the global seabed remain unmapped, particularly in regions that are strategically and environmentally sensitive. This limits our collective ability to address key global issues, including climate monitoring and sustainable ocean governance, as highlighted in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The IHO must act as a catalyst, mobilizing international cooperation, supporting capacity development, and reinforcing partnerships with the UN and other global actors. Hydrography must be recognized as critical infrastructure for global stability and development.
Is hydrography keeping pace with digital transformation?
Hydrography is advancing, but not uniformly. This uneven pace reflects broader global disparities in technological access and institutional capacity, which risk creating fragmentation in maritime data systems. In an era where digital information underpins maritime decision-making, from navigation safety to autonomous shipping, this fragmentation has strategic implications. The IHO must therefore ensure that digital transformation is inclusive, coordinated, and aligned with international frameworks, particularly those of the IMO. Digitalization should be understood as a strategic transition, enabling better integration of maritime services and supporting a more connected and resilient global maritime domain.
How will the S-100 framework reshape the future of maritime navigation and hydrographic services?
The S-100 framework represents a structural transformation in the way maritime data is produced, shared, and used. It is a cornerstone of the future e-navigation architecture promoted by the IMO, and it will fundamentally redefine the relationship between hydrography and maritime operations. Through S-100, hydrographic information becomes part of a broader digital ecosystem, supporting real-time decision-making, enhanced situational awareness, and integrated maritime services. This evolution has direct implications for safety, efficiency, and environmental protection. However, the transition to S-100 is also a political and economic challenge. It requires coordinated investment, capacity-development, and sustained international commitment. The IHO must lead this process with clarity and inclusiveness, ensuring that all Member States can participate in and benefit from this transformation.
How would you deal with private industry to optimize its contribution to the IHO?
Private industry plays an increasingly important role in hydrography, particularly in technological innovation, data acquisition, and service delivery. At the same time, the governance of maritime data remains a sovereign and intergovernmental responsibility. The challenge is to establish a structured partnership where industry contributes effectively within a framework defined by the IHO and aligned with international standards. This requires transparency, mutual trust, and a clear understanding of roles. By fostering such a model, the IHO can leverage the strengths of the private sector while maintaining its authority and ensuring that global standards serve the collective interest of Member States.
Some coastal states are not yet members of the IHO. How will you increase membership?
Expanding membership is both a matter of inclusivity and geopolitical relevance. The absence of certain coastal states weakens the global coherence of hydrographic efforts and limits the effectiveness of international maritime governance. The IHO must engage more actively with non-member states, working through diplomatic channels, regional organizations, and UN frameworks to highlight the strategic importance of hydrography. Membership should be presented not only as a technical benefit, but as a contribution to national security, economic development, and environmental stewardship. A more representative IHO is a stronger IHO, capable of addressing global challenges with greater legitimacy and impact.
In your opinion, why is it important for the IHO to expand its membership, and what approach should be taken in this process?
Expanding membership is both a matter of inclusivity and geopolitical relevance. The absence of certain coastal states weakens the global coherence of hydrographic efforts and limits the effectiveness of international maritime governance. The IHO must engage more actively with non-member states, working through diplomatic channels, regional organizations, and UN frameworks to highlight the strategic importance of hydrography. Membership should be presented not only as a technical benefit, but as a contribution to national security, economic development, and environmental stewardship. A more representative IHO is a stronger IHO, capable of addressing global challenges with greater legitimacy and impact.
What is your vision for the future of the IHO, and how do you plan to turn that vision into reality?
My vision is of an IHO that is fully integrated into the global system of ocean governance, an Organization that not only supports maritime safety, but also contributes to broader objectives such as sustainability, security, and economic development. In this vision, hydrography becomes a strategic asset, underpinning decision-making at national, regional, and global levels. The IHO acts as a bridge between science and policy, between national interests and international cooperation. Turning this vision into reality requires strong leadership, effective governance, and sustained engagement with partners across the maritime domain. It also requires the ability to anticipate change and to guide the Organization through it. The future of the IHO lies in its capacity to lead, to connect, and to deliver. This is the commitment I bring to my candidacy.
Bu haberin/makalenin tamamı ya da bir kısmı kaynak gösterilmeden yayımlanamaz. Kaynak gösterilse dahi aktif link verilerek kullanılabilir. Kaynak göstermeden ve aktif link vermeden yayımlayanlar hakkında yasal işlem başlatılır.
