(NEWS) WMU and IFAN Launch Joint Research Project on Maritime Risk and Environmental Protection through Aids to Navigation

January

2026

WMU and IFAN Launch Joint Research Project on Maritime Risk and Environmental Protection through Aids to Navigation

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The World Maritime University (WMU) and the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) have formally launched a new multi-year research partnership focused on strengthening maritime safety and environmental protection through improved risk governance.

The project was announced during an official visit to WMU in Malmö, Sweden on 20 January by IFAN Chief Executive Officer Catherine Mulvihill and IFAN Development Manager Francesca Pradelli. The delegation met with the President of WMU, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., together with senior representatives of the University, to discuss the cooperation agreement. Following a working lunch with the WMU officials, the IFAN delegation toured the University.

Regarding the cooperation, Ms Mulvihill said, “Maritime accidents do not only disrupt shipping. They can leave lasting environmental damage and deep social and economic impacts on coastal communities, particularly in regions with limited resources. Through this partnership with the World Maritime University, IFAN is supporting research that looks beyond accident probability and brings these wider consequences into maritime risk governance. The goal is to strengthen how Aids to Navigation, contingency planning, and marine spatial planning are designed and justified, so that prevention measures are better aligned with the places and communities that face the greatest risks.”

President Mejia said, “Our new partnership with IFAN reflects our two institutions’ combined commitment to advancing research that supports safer and more sustainable maritime activity worldwide. By strengthening the evidence base on maritime risk, aids to navigation, and environmental protection, our collaboration will contribute to more informed, data-driven decision-making and more equitable outcomes for coastal States and communities. WMU values this collaboration with IFAN as an important contribution to the application of academic research in navigational safety, maritime policy, and ocean governance.”

The project will pursue several complementary objectives to develop improved methods for assessing maritime risk and strengthen the evidence base for planning and investing in Aids to Navigation. Research activities will focus on case studies in developed and developing countries reflecting a diversity of maritime contexts and risk profiles.

Primary beneficiaries include maritime authorities, port planners, coastal communities exposed to shipping risks, and regional and international organizations working on maritime safety and marine environmental protection.

Over the long term, the partnership seeks to contribute to reduced environmental damage and social disruption from maritime accidents, especially in vulnerable coastal regions. By linking academic research with real-world policy needs, the IFAN–WMU collaboration aims to support more resilient, fair, and informed maritime governance worldwide.

About IFAN

The InternationalFoundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing maritime safety, protecting marine ecosystems, and strengthening global navigation capabilities. IFAN ensures safer and more efficient shipping routes while minimizing environmental risks by supporting projects focused on enhancing Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) frameworks, developing technical expertise, and providing AtoN infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships, funding, and technical expertise, IFAN plays a pivotal role in securing safe, sustainable global waterways and safeguarding the world’s ocean for future generations.

About WMU

The World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden is established within the framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. The mission of WMU is to be the world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training and research, while building global capacity and promoting sustainable development. WMU’s vision is to inspire leadership and innovation for a sustainable maritime and oceans future. WMU is an organization by and for the international maritime community and is committed to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

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