Current Standing and Upcoming Challenges of Electronic Charts
The international policies for standardization, quality control, and marketing of electronic charts are primarily centered on the framework and standards developed by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). The IHO's latest global standard for electronic navigational charts (ENCs) and related geospatial data is the S-100 framework, which builds upon the older S-57 standard and supports integration of diverse marine data types.
The S-100 framework enhances mariners' situational awareness and decision-making by allowing multiple layers of information, such as bathymetry, tides, currents, and weather, to be combined with navigational charts. Key product specifications within S-100 include S-101 for Electronic Navigational Charts, S-102 for Bathymetric Surface, S-104 for Water Levels, S-111 for Surface Currents, and more.
Quality control is embedded through adherence to IHO specifications, ensuring data consistency, accuracy, and structural format compliance. For example, NOAA's ENC products strictly comply with IHO S-57 specifications and are updated regularly to ensure currency and reliability.
Marketing and accessibility policies emphasize free or open distribution in many countries for public safety use, as seen in NOAA chart offerings which are provided free of charge online. However, marketing of value-added or specialized data layers under the S-100 framework may involve national hydrographic offices or commercial entities offering enhanced maritime data products.
Additional standardization relevant to electronic charts in broader technical aspects like electromagnetic compatibility or systems security may be governed by other international standards such as those from IEC or ISO. Countries such as New Zealand invest in maritime digital transformation initiatives to develop advanced navigational products built on these standards, indicating active governmental support for market development and technology adoption in electronic charting.
In summary, the international standardization for electronic charts is set by the IHO S-100 family of standards, encompassing quality control through specification compliance and promoting interoperability within ECDIS and ECS devices. Marketing policies are typically national or regional but often promote free access to ENCs for safety, with commercial opportunities arising from enhanced data products layered on the S-100 framework. Broader system and device standards complement these policies to ensure overall effectiveness and security in electronic chart usage.
While the majority may believe that there will always be a requirement for the paper chart, the development of electronic charts offers a way to avoid the increasing clutter of paper charts by being selective in the data required. The aviation industry, outside the marine field, has seen faster development in video display technology, and it is likely that manufacturers and hydrographic offices share an eagerness to sell a good product.
Science and technology play pivotal roles in electronic charting, as the S-100 framework, a product of technology development, enhances mariners' decision-making by integrating diverse marine data types such as bathymetry, tides, currents, and weather. Science, specifically in research and development, contributes to the advancement of ECDIS and ECS devices, ensuring alignment with global and regional standards for quality control and interoperability.
