UKHO announced intention to end Paper Nautical Chart production (26 July 2022)

(source: UK Hydrographic Office)

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has announced on 26 July 2022 its intention to develop options for the withdrawal from global paper nautical chart production by late 2026 to increase focus on its digital navigation products and services. (“UKHO announces intention to withdraw from paper chart production“)

Plans to withdraw the UKHO’s portfolio of ADMIRALTY Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) and Thematic Charts are in response to more marine, naval and leisure users primarily using digital products and services for navigation. The ADMIRALTY Maritime Data Solutions digital navigation portfolio can be updated in near real-time, greatly enhancing safety of life at sea (SOLAS).

The phased withdrawal of paper charts from production will take place over a number of years and is anticipated to conclude in late 2026. In parallel, we will develop viable, official digital alternatives for sectors still using paper chart products. This will be a carefully managed process, conducted in close liaison with all customers and stakeholders, including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) as well as other regulatory bodies, hydrographic offices, industry partners and distributors.

(Back in October 2013, NOAA had announced the plan to end the production of traditional Paper Nautical Charts, too: “NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, which creates and maintains the nation’s suite of over a thousand nautical charts of U.S. coastal waters, today announced major changes ahead for mariners and others who use nautical charts. Starting April 13, the federal government will no longer print traditional lithographic (paper) nautical charts, but will continue to provide other forms of nautical charts, including print on demand charts and versions for electronic charting systems. NOAA’s certified Print-on-Demand partners, will continue to sell up-to-date paper nautical charts…”)

Peter Sparkes, Chief Executive of the UKHO, said: “The decision to commence the process of withdrawing from paper chart production will allow us to increase our focus on advanced digital services that meet the needs of today’s seafarers. As we look to the future, our core purpose remains the safety of shipping operations and delivering the best possible navigation solutions to achieve that. Whether for the Royal Navy, commercial vessels or other ocean users, our focus is on developing and delivering ADMIRALTY digital services that promote safe, secure and thriving oceans.

“We understand the significance of this announcement, given the distinguished history of the UKHO’s paper chart production and the trust that mariners have placed in ADMIRALTY charts over the generations. We will support users of SNCs during the withdrawal of our paper chart portfolio and work with our distributors to help users switch to digital alternatives between now and our planned date of 2026.”

The move to digital navigation solutions has been accompanied by a rapid decline in demand for paper charts, driven by the SOLAS-mandated transition to ECDIS and the wider benefits of digital solutions, including the next generation of navigation services, Peter Sparkes explained.

“Shipping is moving quickly towards a future underpinned by digital innovations, enhanced satellite connectivity at sea and optimised data solutions, supporting the next generation of navigation. The UKHO aims to be at the vanguard of this digital transition, continuing to provide the assured and globally trusted ADMIRALTY navigation services that seafarers the world over depend on.”

Baroness Goldie, Minister of State at the UK government’s Ministry of Defence, said:

“The world has changed unrecognisably in recent years, driven by digitalisation and rapid technological advancement. When it comes to maritime, one of our priorities at the Ministry of Defence is to make shipping as safe as possible; to achieve this, the industry must continue transitioning to digital tools and technology that share data almost instantly from ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore.

“As one of the world’s leading authorities on navigational charts, the UKHO is well positioned to recognise the need to deliver a range of digital solutions that enhance safety and data accuracy. The decision to focus on digital products and services makes strategic and commercial sense, helping usher in a new era of maritime navigation, which will be powered by digital innovations.”

Richard Bell, Assistant Director for UK Technical Services Navigation at the MCA, said:

“The MCA recognises the benefits of official digital navigation products for safe navigation, at a time when paper products make up a minority of navigation products being used at sea. This announcement by UKHO represents a clear vision for the future of navigation, which will need to be supported by official equipment and data suited to the needs of the different maritime end users.

“We are committed to working closely with the UKHO, stakeholders and industry to make this vision a reality. Close liaison will be essential, to ensure that the technical and legislative barriers to the proposed change are overcome in advance of the UKHO’s 2026 timeline.”

More information on UKHO’s approach for the phased withdrawal of Paper Navigational Chart production can be found on the ADMIRALTY Maritime Data Solutions website.

(source: UK Hydrographic Office – July 2022)

ADMIRALTY e-Nautical Publications – video

Withdrawal of ADMIRALTY Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) and Thematic Charts is in response to more marine, naval and leisure users primarily using digital products and services for maritime avigation. UKHO sets out transition plan for fully digital chart portfolio by end of 2026

RELATED ARTICLES / NEWS:

Paper Nautical Charts

End of production plan for NOAA’s Nautical Paper Charts (Raster Nautical Charts: both, paper and digital Raster Charts)

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is undertaking a five-year program to cease all raster and paper nautical chart production including production of all NOAA paper nautical charts, raster navigational charts (NOAA RNC), and all related products such as BookletChartsTM

UKHO announces intention to withdraw from paper chart production (UKHO press release)

The End of Traditional Paper Charts (article by International Hydrographic Review)