Harbours And Their Masters is the untold story of the Harbour Master and the harbours they manage.

For five years, Mark Ashley-Miller went on an extraordinary voyage, navigating 9,000 nautical miles to visit every corner of the British Isles. His mission? To uncover the hidden world of our harbours and Harbour Masters – those dedicated professionals who safeguard our ports and keep maritime trade flowing.

The International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), through its TrainForTrade Programme have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise their collaboration in advancing capacity building and knowledge sharing for port communities worldwide.
This important partnership will further support the Port Management Programme’s international networks in French, English, and Spanish, serving port communities across the globe. Under the MoU, both organisations will work together to:

Enhancing Safety and Sustainability at Belfast Harbour Marina – Experience from Port-Safety

In 2019, Belfast Harbour Marina — located next to the Titanic Museum — initiated a project to enhance waterfront safety. After careful evaluation of the challenges faced by harbour environments, including corrosion of traditional metal ladders and limited visibility for rescue operations, the marina chose to install Port-Safety’s LifeLadder® solution.

Harbour safety is a critical concern for port and terminal operators, yet traditional safety equipment often falls short—prone to corrosion, high maintenance costs, and poor visibility in critical situations. These challenges put workers at risk and increase operational inefficiencies.

International efforts to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping took a step forward as the IMO's Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 18) concluded its latest round of discussions.

The IMO's 2023 GHG Reduction Strategy commits Member States to adopting mid-term measures to reduce GHG emissions from ships in late 2025, including: 

IHMA is proud to introduce the refreshed Port Information Guide logo!

The Port Information Guide serves as a standardised template for ports to provide general information to SOLAS vessels. It is based on existing port information publications and aligns with International Hydrographic Organization standards wherever possible. This guide can be published on port websites and referenced to answer port-related enquiries.

About GSTS

GSTS is a leading global maritime intelligence company focused on delivering innovative solutions that enhance decision-making across the maritime and logistics industries. GSTS leverages the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Big Data analytics that drive operational optimization, risk management, and compliance.

GSTS’ proprietary platform, OCIANA®, exemplifies this commitment, providing predictive insights that integrate operational, environmental, vessel, and cargo data to enable real time, data-driven decision making.

During a meeting on 4 December 2024, the International Hydrographic Organization Nautical Information Provision Work Group (IHO NIPWG) held a vote on the new Guide for Nautical Data 2.1.

About William Hackett

William Hackett Chain Products Limited was established in 1892 as a Chain Assembly Maker developing markets throughout various industrial sectors including Marine and Engineering. In October 2013, William Hackett Chains successfully completed the acquisition of competitor Bradney Chain & Engineering Co. Ltd. to help create the UK’s largest chain products manufacturer.

When Alexander Dales came ashore in 2022, he looked forward to a new role, balancing the diverse tasks of the Harbour Master in the UK’s premier inland port.

Alexander Dales has been Assistant Dock Master in the Port of Goole, UK, for just over a year now. Before joining the Associated British Ports (ABP) in 2022, his career first saw him sailing aboard chemical tankers as Third Mate, including in the Caribbean, between 2005 and 2022.