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Paper charts continue to play an important role in supporting safe and compliant navigation for many mariners around the world. While digital navigation has become the primary means of navigation, many operators still rely on paper charts to meet operational, regulatory or training requirements.
To ensure continued access to paper charts, the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is evolving how ADMIRALTY Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) are produced. This supports long-term sustainability of the portfolio while maintaining the safety, compliance and coverage mariners need.
Why evolution is necessary
Demand for paper charts is changing globally. While some vessels operate with fully compliant digital solutions, we understand that others face barriers related to infrastructure, cost, regulation or operational context.
The UKHO is committed to ensuring mariners can continue to access comprehensive, trusted and compliant charts for as long as paper charts are needed. Therefore we are adapting how ADMIRALTY SNCs are produced in order to continue supplying a viable, high-quality paper chart service – enabling us to meet the ongoing needs of paper chart users in a modernised and efficient way.
What is changing?
We are evolving the way in which paper charts are produced, meaning that some new edition ADMIRALTY SNCs will now be generated using official ADMIRALTY Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data as the primary source.
These charts remain official ADMIRALTY products, produced to support safe and compliant navigation. While this change will result in subtle changes to the depiction of features or symbol presentation, the underlying hydrographic data remains official and authoritative.
The future of paper charts
Our commitment to enabling safe and compliant navigation through our portfolio of SNCs has not changed.
To support a sustainable future for paper charts, we will continue to take a careful, evidence-led approach to any future changes to the portfolio. We are working closely with the maritime community to understand how ADMIRALTY SNCs are used, including ongoing assessment of customer demand and usage across different regions.
This involves engagement with:
- Mariners and vessel operators
- ADMIRALTY Distributors
- Hydrographic offices
- Regulators and governance bodies
- Training organisations
This engagement helps ensure that the future of ADMIRALTY SNCs reflects operational reality, supports training and compliance, and maintains consistency for users worldwide.
Any future developments to the portfolio will be informed by consultation and feedback, and shared transparently with relevant stakeholders in advance.