The IHO Category B Hydrographic Survey Programme took place in Busan, Republic of Korea, at the headquarters of the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA), from 16 March to 31 July 2026, organised by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency, and sponsored by the Republic of Korea.

Representative of the HHI, Marin Jović, from the Hydrographic Department, participated in this programme. The course was attended by 11 more participants from the IHO member states (the Bahamas, Brunei, Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia, Oman, Pakistan, Uruguay, and Croatia).

The HHI representative was selected following the HHI application to the IHO call for applications. He will implement the acquired expert knowledge in the operation of the HHI and transfer it to his colleagues through in-house training.

For HHI, the completion of this 20-week programme delivers an immediate enhancement of operational capabilities in planning, data processing, and analysis of hydrographic surveys. The curriculum comprised 12 core modules. These included vertical and horizontal positioning methods, tidal influences, the deployment of cutting-edge bathymetric equipment, and rigorous data quality control procedures. The training culminated in a demanding four-week final field project in a coastal area. This project encompassed all stages of autonomous data collection and processing in full alignment with the highest global standards.

All newly acquired expertise and advanced methodologies will be integrated into the daily operations of the Hydrographic department. Through a structured internal training scheme, these skills will be distributed across the Institute to all colleagues.

At the closing ceremony the participants were awarded certificates of participation, with speeches given by the KHOA representatives and a video message by the IHO director.

This is a continuation of a series of training programmes for the HHI team members, organised by the IHO, aimed at promoting the hydrographic activity and ensuring the informative segment of maritime safety in hydrography.