Welcome to MENAS

The Middle East Gulf region's leading innovator in the supply and maintenance of Aids to Navigation

The Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS) is a subsidiary of the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN). It owns and maintains an extensive network of buoys, lighthouses and Racons, mostly located in remote areas more than 12 nautical miles from the shore, and generally in hazardous areas such as narrow waterways leading to main ports in the Middle East Gulf region.

Supporting safety in the Middle East Gulf

The Middle East Gulf is one of the world’s busiest trade lanes, servicing the global oil and products markets. Maintaining safe navigation in the area is of utmost importance. MENAS provides a service of buoys fitted with AtoN satellite based monitoring system for the health of the AtoN equipment and with automatic identification system (AIS) transponders to not only track the location of the buoy but to monitor passing traffic conditions and carry out risk assessments.

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Key services to shipping

atons in the gulf

Aids to Navigation (AtoN)

MENAS owns and maintains an extensive network of navigation beacons, buoys and lighthouses for safe navigation of vessels in the region.

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MSI Services

MENAS provides MSI services which cover four essential activities: 1) Regional Navigational Warnings
2) Notice to Mariners (NTM)
3 ) Weather Forecast Bulletins 4) Weekly Navtex Bulletins 

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Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)

Since 1997, MENAS  continues to operate a free-to-air differential global positioning system (DGPS) for the region which assists safe navigation.

risk assessment

AtoN Risk Assessment Service (RAS)

MENAS uses two IALA risk assessment tools, including other marine publications to study and calculate the probability of collision or grounding. This service is also provided commercially upon request.

aids to navigation training

Training

MENAS delivers accredited Aids to Navigation (AtoN) training courses according to IALA WWA modules designed to improve AtoN level of service.

Latest News

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Change in MENAS Navigational Light Dues to ensure future of Aids to Navigation in Middle East Gulf

After years of keeping a vital navigation service operating on the same income, Middle East Navigation Service (MENAS) has been forced to review its funding, to ensure it can continue to help keep seafarers safe and protect the marine environment in the Middle East Gulf. MENAS has been providing Aids to Navigation (AtoN) in the …

Change in MENAS Navigational Light Dues to ensure future of Aids to Navigation in Middle East Gulf Read More »

RoSPA Award Winner 1

MENAS wins internationally recognised health and safety accolade from RoSPA

Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS) has scooped a prestigious international Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Award, demonstrating its commitment to health and safety excellence. MENAS, a branch of the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN), won a Silver Award in the Engineering category, showing its dedication to ensuring its personnel …

MENAS wins internationally recognised health and safety accolade from RoSPA Read More »

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CELEBRATING WORLD MARINE ATON DAY – 1st July 2023

Today the world celebrates World Marine Aids to Navigation Day, a celebration established by the IALA Assembly in 2018. To mark this important day that is designed to highlight to the wider public the role of Marine Aids to Navigation, IFAN has launched a podcast with its CEO, Peter Stanley, examining the critical role played …

CELEBRATING WORLD MARINE ATON DAY – 1st July 2023 Read More »

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