Skip to main content
As the industry prepares for the transition to S-100, understanding how new data products perform in operational environments is essential.
Across the sector, hydrographic offices, equipment manufacturers, ports, training providers and mariners are working together to test S-100 data sets and systems in realistic bridge scenarios.
Explore the UKHO's S-100 trials programme
These trials help the industry explore how new capabilities, such as high-resolution bathymetry, dynamic water levels and surface currents, could support navigation in the future.
Below you can now explore insights from a range of sea trials and simulator exercises where S-100 data is being evaluated in real-world conditions.
You can expect:
- Key observations from bridge teams and technical partners
- Insights into how S-100 data sets performed in practice
- Perspectives from mariners, developers and industry experts
Together, these case studies offer an early look at how S-100 capabilities may be used in operational environments.
Insights from the trials
Read our learnings and feedback from the latest sea trials and simulated testing.
ECDIS Ltd simulated trials
The UKHO has been working with ECDIS Ltd and OSI Maritime Systems, testing S-100 product specifications at ECDIS Ltd's simulator training facility in Hampshire. Using OSI ECPINS warship navigation software, these simulated trials compared S-57 and S-100 in confined waters.
S-100 in confined waters
In partnership with a range of national hydrographic offices, this trial was hosted at Carnival Corporation’s CSMART training facility in the Netherlands under the IHO's International Testbed. This testbed brought together perspectives from ports, pilots and technology providers to evaluate S-100 data sets in real-world scenarios, testing display, interoperability and operational value.
Stena Vinga live sea trial
Conducted on board the DFDS vessel Stena Vinga, this trial explored how the UKHO’s S-100 data sets could be used within an operational bridge environment on the route from Southampton to Jersey. Using an S-100 capable Raymarine ECDIS, the exercise examined how emerging data layers may support situational awareness and decision-making during ferry operations and a tidally constrained port approach at St Helier.
More details coming soon.
Angelicoussis Group / Minerva Marine fleet simulator trial
This trial brought the perspective of major shipowners to the evaluation of S-100 navigation data. In partnership with North Standard, SEALL ECDIS, Angelicoussis and Minerva Marine, this trial used a bridge simulator to explore how emerging S-100 data sets may support voyage fleet planning, bridge decision-making and navigation in real-world commercial shipping contexts.
More details coming soon.
Port of London Authority live sea trials
In 2022, the UKHO worked with the Port of London Authority and SEAiq Pilot to conduct the UK’s first S-102 sea trials. Watch the short film to see early conclusions from mariners testing S-100 data in the fast-flowing tidal Thames estuary.
Why S-100 trials matter
While the S-100 framework is being developed internationally through the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), practical testing plays an important role in understanding how these standards will work on the bridge.
Sea trials and simulator exercises allow maritime professionals to:
- Assess how S-100 data sets interact with navigation systems
- Explore how multiple data layers can be visualised together
- Evaluate potential operational benefits in different navigation scenarios
- Identify questions and considerations ahead of wider adoption
These insights help inform the broader industry conversation around S-100 implementation.
Collaboration across the maritime sector
Testing S-100 in operational environments requires collaboration across the maritime ecosystem.
Sea trials typically bring together expertise from across the industry, including:
- Hydrographic offices providing test data sets
- Navigation system developers integrating S-100 into bridge software
- Training organisations and simulator centres recreating real-world scenarios
- Mariners and pilots providing operational feedback
This collaborative approach helps ensure that insights reflect practical navigation realities and enhance overall industry knowledge so that future S-100 products are more likely to meet mariner needs.
Access S-100 test data sets
Many of the trials featured here make use of S-100 data sets made available by the UKHO through the IHO S-100 international testbed.
These data sets allow technology developers, training organisations and maritime stakeholders to explore how emerging S-100 data layers perform within navigation systems and bridge simulators.
Follow the progress of S-100 sea trials
Testing of S-100 data sets is continuing across a range of operational and simulator environments, with new trials taking place throughout this year and beyond. Each exercise provides valuable insights into how emerging S-100 data products can be visualised and used in navigation systems and bridge workflows.
As additional trials take place, new case studies and updates will be added to this hub. Bookmark this page and return regularly to follow the latest developments and insights from across the maritime industry.
Alternatively, sign up to our S-100 newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox.