In the summer of 1992, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) made the pioneering move of officially introducing the Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) standard, S-57.
This was an important step for the maritime industry, bringing in the standardisation of digital hydrographic data, making the exchange of this data between different systems and organisations more efficient, and pushing the concept of digital charting. For the first time, S-57 allowed for the creation and distribution of ENCs. But this radical shift took a few years to stabilise. Initially, the standard lacked the comprehensive guidelines and consistency needed for widespread and reliable use. S-57 was redefined and developed until 2001 when the third edition was released, providing a robust and stable framework for the production and dissemination of ENCs. This version addressed previous inconsistencies and set clear guidelines for data encoding.
At the time, the S-57 standard marked a crucial step in the transition from paper to digital navigation charts. It played a role in driving safer navigation at sea. S-57 promised that mariners would be able to rely on consistent and up-to-date navigational information, reducing the risk of accidents at sea due to outdated chart data. This was a particular area of focus following the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989 and Torrey Canyon in 1967. The introduction of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) and S-57 showed great potential in improving safety through automated danger detection, reducing reliance on human interpretation of paper charts and thereby minimising the risk of human error.
Furthermore, the adoption of S-57 by the IHO facilitated the sharing and integration of hydrographic data across different national hydrographic offices and other maritime stakeholders. As S-57 was the first global standard for ENCs, it facilitated a unified, internationally accepted approach to digital charting. The standardisation also helped nations, shipping companies, and regulatory bodies have confidence in the accuracy and reliability of digital charts. This interoperability was vital for global shipping and navigation, allowing for more efficient and effective use of chart data worldwide. S-57 was, and still is, used by thousands of ships and laid the foundation for ECDIS adoption.
The S-57 standard is an infrastructure designed for a world of unconnected computers operating with highly limited capacity. That world no longer exists. S-57 was designed to primarily support ENCs and the specific needs of maritime navigation, but today there are a growing number of sources for hydrographic data which can feed advanced ECDIS systems and provide greater insight into marine environments for safer and more efficient ship operations. S-57 effectively ported the capabilities of a paper chart into an electronic format but it was never designed to make use of the full possibilities of a digital format.
S-57 is still widely used in today’s ECDIS systems, but adapting it to support new types of data or emerging technologies can be challenging. But things are changing in maritime navigation. Operations are digitalising and the rapid rise of e-navigation is evident. 32 years after introducing S-57, the IHO is preparing for a new data framework that meets the evolving needs of the mariner. This new data framework is known as S-100 and promises to lay the foundations to tackle the growing complexity of modern navigation.
For further insight into the areas highlighted in this article, download our thought leadership report ‘New Waters’, created in partnership with the UK Hydrographic Office. Based on the findings of a comprehensive maritime research project, this report explores the five key steps to supporting the successful adoption of the International Hydrographic Organization’s (IHO) S-100 data framework.
