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Safety, efficiency and compliance
Not only will the next generation of digital navigation solutions enhance safety of life at sea, thanks to their ability to deliver more accurate and timely updates, they will also play an important role in solving some of shipping's wider challenges.
How AVCS is helping to shape shipping’s digital-first future
The speed of shipping’s transition from paper to digital navigation highlights the transformative impact of this generation of solutions.
A decade ago, the vast majority of the internationally trading fleet navigated using paper charts. Today, nearly every one of those vessels is using digital navigation solutions, and for over 90%, that solution is the ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service.
With more than 18,000 official ENCs within the ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service, the next step forward is the development of more high definition (HD) ENCs. These will provide the mariner with an unprecedented step forward in the granularity of detail, equipping them with the information required to make passage planning and navigation decisions with greater certainty, particularly in shallower waters
With the ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service at the heart of our suite of digital navigation solutions, the UKHO will be at the forefront of shipping’s digital future, unlocking the potential of marine data and digital innovation to meet the changing needs of our customers.
Transforming data delivery through ADDS
The speed with which navigational data is collected from data suppliers and delivered to the bridge of the ship is set to be transformed by the ADMIRALTY Digital Delivery Service (ADDS). ADDS offers an event-driven service that can deliver navigational updates in just hours, instead of the established weekly updates. ADDS utilises a cloud-based file store and an event-driven pipeline that will enable distributors to collect real-time data by API and pass it directly on to their customers at sea.
Anything that reduces the time taken for navigation information to reach the vessel will enhance the safety of life at sea. ADDS works with AVCS to ensure that event-driven updates reach the mariner with minimal manual handling, bringing real-time updates one step nearer.
Developing S-100 standards
The new S-100 framework is a universal data standard that will underpin the next generation of digital navigation solutions and deliver new standards of safety at sea, through faster, more accurate, event-driven updates.
We have worked closely with the Port of London Authority (PLA) and SEAiq Pilot to further our understanding of the S-102 Bathymetric Surface product specification; part of the new IHO’s new S-100 data standards that will underpin the next generation of marine navigation solutions.
S-102 holds out the exciting possibility of providing mariners with greater granularity of bathymetric information than the current generation of ENCs, supporting safer and more efficient navigation. In order to move forward with confidence and to ensure that S-102 meets the needs of users, it is important to put it to the test in a real-world setting.
Watch this film to find out more about the results of the trial and benefits S-102 standard will have across the maritime industry.
This short film shares our experiences, including the positive feedback from those involved in the trial.
Withdrawal from paper chart production
The UKHO has announced plans for the phased withdrawal from paper chart production by late 2026 to increase focus on its digital navigation products and services. This will be a carefully managed process, conducted in liaison with customers and stakeholders, and supported by the development of further digital alternatives to paper charts.
ADMIRALTY Digital Publications
Bringing simplicity, flexibility and speed to passage planning and navigation
Unlocking voyage optimisation
The maritime industry is seeing rapid changes, driven by a more efficient, decarbonised approach to global shipping. We are contributing to the next generation of navigation solutions, meeting the industry’s evolving needs through innovation and working together.
ADMIRALTY Charts
We provide comprehensive, official electronic and paper chart coverage of the world's commercial shipping routes and ports, with an extensive range of planning charts to support passage planning tasks.