S-100 products for e-navigation; Black and Caspian Seas States explore
Maritime officials from Black Sea and Caspian Seas States have completed the first workshop in the region on S-100 products, held in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan from 3-5 December.
IMO, IHO and IALA collaboration
The workshop was co-organized by IMO in collaboration with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) to raise awareness about the development and implementation of the IHO’s S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model and related S-100 products.
S-100 digital marine data standard
S-100 is the modern standard for digital marine data, designed to improve how ships access and use navigational information. Used in systems such as ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System), it supports e-navigation by bringing together different types of data, such as depth, currents, tides and weather, into a single, interoperable framework. This helps seafarers make better-informed decisions and enhances safety at sea.
S-100 is a key component of IMO’s e-navigation strategy and will soon become mandatory for ships to use. Revised performance standards for ECDIS adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 106)1in 2022 (resolution MSC.530(106))2 and subsequently updated at in 2024 (MSC 108)3 have introduced the phased implementation of the S-100 framework, which will be required for all ECDIS equipment installed on or after 1 January 2029.
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye and Turkmenistan representation
Eighteen government officials from maritime administrations and hydrographic offices attended the event from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye and Turkmenistan.
Participants shared updates on the status of the hydrographic, navigational and metrological services in their administrations. They discussed how to address the gaps between current capabilities and forthcoming requirements by supporting the production, dissemination, and management of S-100-compliant navigational data services and products.
Comprehensive understanding of S-100 requirements gained
Participants gained a comprehensive understanding of S-100 requirements, including the development of Electronic Navigational Data Services (ENDS), dissemination of dynamic information such as navigational warnings, weather warnings and route exchange, and the interoperability of data streams essential for ECDIS.
Promoting regional cooperation
The workshop promoted regional cooperation and lays the groundwork for a harmonized compliance framework that supports the development and the implementation of the S-100 products amongst the Black and Caspian Seas littoral States.
1 https://tinyurl.com/2kc3v5au (Visit external site. Link opens in a new tab.)
2 https://tinyurl.com/2errkpk6 (Visit external site. Link opens in a new tab.)
3 https://tinyurl.com/3rx4p2c4 (Visit external site. Link opens in a new tab.)
As introduced by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The Universal Hydrographic Data Model
What is S-100?
S-100 is known as the Universal Hydrographic Data Model. It is a hydrographic geospatial data standard that can support a wide variety of hydrographic-related digital data sources, and aligns with mainstream international geospatial standards — in particular the ISO 19000 series of geographic standards. This alignment enables easier integration of hydrographic data and applications into geospatial solutions.
The S-100 framework uses machine readable catalogues that interact with plug-and-play systems and allows for easier updating of data standards. In other words, the S-100 framework and corresponding standards will be applied to a suite of S-series hydrographic products.
NOAA is an active participant in the development of S-100 and associated product specifications, and works to align new products and services to the S-100 suite of standards under development. This will enable mariners to have more information integrated within their navigation systems, which helps them plan optimal routes and make critical decisions at sea.
Who is developing S-100?
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S-100 Working Group is responsible for setting many hydrographic related standards for electronic navigational charts (ENC), bathymetry, water levels, surface currents, Marine Protected Areas, under keel clearances, maritime limits and boundaries.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is responsible for the S-411 ice forecast, S-412 weather, S-413 and S-414, which are other subsets of the weather.
The International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) is responsible for the S-20X suite, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is responsible for S-421 route exchange for ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship standards.
What S-100 data products and services is NOAA working on?
S-101 Electronic Navigational Chart
S-102 Bathymetric Surface
S-111 Surface Current Forecast Guidance
S-104 Water Level Forecast Guidance
S-412 Wave and Weather Hazard
How do these all fit together?
S-100 data products and services
S-100 provides the framework for product specifications which define the data product but also includes additional resources such as a machine readable feature catalogue and portrayal catalogue.
S-100 is significant because its framework includes guidance for robust metadata libraries and data interoperability rules. This guidance ensures that products developed within the framework are complementary and work together. For example, surface current arrows will not cover up important soundings on nautical charts. They will be standardized across the world so that data provided by European countries is formatted the same way as data from the United States.
Finally, the format and metadata libraries will ensure all these data will be machine-to-machine readable and packaged small enough for download in a low bandwidth environment.
A mariner planning to transit a specific route can download just the data that they need along their intended route. This is data products and services made with the mariner’s needs in mind.
Related Links
For more information readers are invited to use the link here:
To learn more
It is possible by scrolling through to the end of the document to explore the prototype data for S-102 High Resolution Bathymetry:
- AWS S3 Explorer S-102 Data
- NOAA S-102 Bathymetric Surface Data Information
Explore the prototype data for S-111 surface currents and supporting documentation:
- NOAA S-111 Surface Water Currents Data Information
- AWS S3 Explorer S-111 Data
- Google Public Cloud Bucket S-111 Data
To contact with questions or feedback
The NOAA is collecting feedback about this program. Readers are invited to mention Precision Marine Navigation in their comment so that it is properly flagged for the NOAA team. All feedback is welcome it is understood.
For more information readers are invited to contact: marinenav.team@noaa.gov
Per the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
S-100: Shaping the future of navigation
Discover how the next generation of data standards will transform the way decisions are made from ship to shore.
What is S-100?
S-100 is a new data framework that will underpin the next generation of navigation technologies. By providing a universal standard, S-100 will improve the accessibility, compatibility and usability of hydrographic and marine data. This will include the next generation of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), bathymetry, tidal information and more.
These new standards promise to enrich the way data is shared and displayed for maritime and geospatial users. By offering a much more complete picture of the maritime environment, users will be empowered to make more informed decisions based on precise, accurate and timely marine data.
The UK Hydrographic Office is at the forefront of developing S-100 solutions by developing and testing new data sets and conducting real-world sea trials; keep up to date with the latest developments by subscribing to our S-100 mailing list.
To subscribe to S-100 updates from the UKHO readers are invited to use the link here:
Picture credit
Illustration per NOAA with grateful thanks.
©NOAA