Beyond Navigational Charts: Esri’s GIS Solutions Provide Unparalleled Benefits to Hydrographic Organizations

Hydrographic organizations are responsible for surveying and charting their territorial waters to ensure safe navigation. Increasingly, they are the authoritative providers of web-based hydrographic data services, which can be shared with partner organizations or key stakeholders. At the same time, they are still responsible for producing traditional paper nautical charts, which serve as a backup to Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs). Fortunately, ArcGIS Maritime—an extension for ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Enterprise, the leading geographic information system (GIS) software for the industry—can help agencies modernize their operations and increase their efficiency. Esri’s ArcGIS Maritime provides simple plug-and-play solutions for sharing and integrating navigational chart data. It also allows agencies to automate the time-consuming task of creating paper nautical charts.

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is an intergovernmental organization with 100 member countries that works to ensure all the world’s navigable waters are surveyed and charted for safety of navigation. In collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the IHO develops the standards that maritime organizations use to enhance maritime safety and protection of the marine environment

Currently, maritime agencies are following several IHO standards and specifications that outline requirements for creating electronic and paper charts. The S-57 standard, the IHO Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data, has been in place since 1992 and was developed to ensure that the transfer of all forms of hydrographic data would take place in a consistent and uniform manner. Changing requirements, user needs, and advancements in technology have led to the development of S-100, a new and more versatile standard supporting a broader hydrographic data source and GIS-friendly products and services.

The IHO defined a transition plan aimed at regular production and dissemination of S-100-based products, including a target date for regular production of S-101 ENCs by January 2026, with a full replacement of S-57 by 2036. During this period, chart producers will be required to support a “dual-fuel” (i.e., S-57 and S-101) production.

ArcGIS Maritime empowers chart producers to enhance interoperability, facilitating seamless data exchange and providing easier access to accurate nautical charts, which ultimately benefits international shipping and trade organizations.

Complying with new standards can be a challenge for hydrographic offices, so Esri Services and its maritime subject matter experts are available to support the transition. A collaborative approach and phased implementation of ArcGIS products introduces the software in a series of stages over a manageable timeline, and includes goals developed in consideration of S-57 and S-100 production priorities.

Historically, hydrographic offices have needed to produce paper-based charts to serve as a backup to ENCs on the electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS). However, creating and maintaining paper charts is time-consuming. Custom Chart Builder (CCB), a functionality in ArcGIS Maritime, allows users to automate the creation of paper charts directly from the ENC using a simple web application. The automated process reduces production time from weeks to minutes and eliminates the need for a manual paper chart production workflow.

“We find ways to make workflows more efficient,” said Geoff Dean, senior business development manager at Esri. “With less time spent on chart production, people can be freed up to focus on S-100 products that realize additional value from their hydrographic data.”

ENCs contain rich geospatial information, and ArcGIS Maritime unlocks the value of maritime data. Agencies can meet increasing demands for data sharing by publishing foundational maritime data as web services to support their Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) initiatives. 

Using ArcGIS Maritime, authoritative ENC datasets can be made available as REST- and OGC-compliant web services. This allows agencies to display all their nautical charts online, providing a shore-based ECDIS experience in a web browser. 

Once integrated, this online chart information service can help agencies create a common operating picture to support the monitoring of vessel traffic. The service also supports a host of other advanced geospatial activities, including situational awareness, shore-based mission planning, rapid response support, defense, port operations, oil and gas exploration, and ocean science.

ArcGIS Maritime seamlessly integrates with an agency’s current production system by consuming the ENCs directly without requiring any data transformation, meaning their MSDI is as current as their navigational chart portfolio. This provides organizations with immediate return on investment with no disruption to their current production lines. 

ArcGIS Maritime is a strategic investment that enables maritime authorities to achieve their key objectives. 

With ArcGIS Maritime in place, maritime agencies and authorities will have a robust framework for up-to-date compliance, automated chart production, holistic data management, and improved communication.