The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), whose historic headquarters are located in the Principality of Monaco and which was originally founded with the support of Prince Albert I, is responsible for coordinating national hydrographic activities on a global scale, ensuring the safety of maritime navigation, and promoting the protection of the oceans.
The new executive board is already at work, following the appointments made on September 1, 2026. At the helm are Italian Rear Admiral Luigi Sinapi, serving as Secretary-General, and Adam Greenland, the new Director of the Interregional Coordination and Support Program. Dr. John Nyberg continues in his role as head of the Technical Program.
Rear Admiral Sinapi, a hydrographer and highly experienced naval officer, stated: “The IHO is entering a new era. We must innovate to transform technological advancements into concrete solutions, unite our Member States and partners around shared ambitions, and move from standards and commitments to measurable results. Our goal is to make the International Hydrographic Organization more operational so that it can map the unknown, promote the digital ocean, and ensure that every Member State can fully benefit from the transformation ahead.”
On September 25, during the Monaco Yacht Show, a letter of intent was signed with The International SeaKeepers Society, an international nonprofit organization founded in Monaco in 1998 by a group of yacht owners. SeaKeepers’ main objective is to promote oceanographic research, marine conservation, and education through the direct involvement of the boating community and private boat owners. The collaboration between IHO and SeaKeepers aims to promote global ocean mapping, the participatory collection of bathymetric data (measurements of seafloor depth), and the involvement of the international yachting community in expanding knowledge of the seafloor.
