The conference “Ports of the Future – Better Infrastructure for Safer Navigation” was held on 21 October 2026 as part of the Biograd Boat Show, organised by Slobodna Dalmacija and Otvoreno more.

Vinka Kolić Bubić, Director of the Croatian Hydrographic Institute (HHI), participated in the conference alongside representatives of the maritime sector, port authorities and academia.

Other panellists included Domagoj Maroević, Director of the Split-Dalmatia County Port Authority; Jadranka Fržop, Director of the Šibenik-Knin County Port Authority; Marko Novaselić, Member of the Management Board of Jadrolinija; Luka Grbić, Head of the Maritime Department at the University of Zadar; and Joško Berket, founder and owner of Marina Kaštela. The panel discussion was moderated by Sandra Barčot, journalist at Slobodna Dalmacija.

The HHI Director emphasised the importance of using official, up-to-date nautical charts and publications to ensure the safety of navigation. She particularly highlighted the need to distinguish between official navigational products and unofficial commercial derivative products, which may serve as supplementary aids to navigation but cannot replace official nautical charts.

She also presented HHI's initiatives aimed at raising awareness among recreational boaters of the importance of using official navigational products, as well as developments related to the IHO S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model and the S-101 Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC), which represent a significant step towards the next generation of digital navigation.

Particular attention was given to the IHO S-131 Marine Harbour Infrastructure Product Specification, designed to enable the structured representation and exchange of harbour infrastructure data. This standard has the potential to play a significant role in port management, port operations planning and the safety of navigation in the future.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of hydrographic surveys as a foundation for the safe planning, construction and development of port infrastructure.

The conference provided an opportunity to exchange professional expertise and discuss improvements to port infrastructure, the application of emerging maritime technologies and further enhancement of the safety of navigation in the Adriatic Sea.

Further information about the conference is available in the article published by Slobodna Dalmacija at the following link: