IMO Secretary-General launches initiative with International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation & Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu, during his closing address to the IALA VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) Symposium in Istanbul, Turkey, praised the safety record of the Turkish Straits VTS, which came into service in 2003, and encouraged IALA and VTS operators to undertake an initiative in which ports, harbours, straits and sea areas with VTS would count, and publicise, the number of consecutive accident-free days. Mr. Sekimizu said that since the introduction of the advanced VTS in the Strait of Istanbul…