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MSW Reportal
MSW Reportal

S-100: The Dynamic Nautical Charts of the Future

S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model (S-100) is a set of international data standards for designing and managing maritime geospatial information services. S-100 is developed by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and is becoming the new international standard, intended, among other things, to ensure that products and services function consistently in navigation systems regardless of where in the world they are used.

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Sweden and the Swedish Maritime Administration have been driving forces in the development of these new standards since the beginning.

S-100 makes it possible to combine different types of digital nautical information, providing navigators with better decision support, for example:

- Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)
- High-resolution bathymetric data
- Surface water currents
- Water levels
- Weather information
- Aids to navigation
- Port information

Benefits of S-100
With hydrographic products and services based on S-100, it becomes possible to use data from different sources and with different update frequencies in near real time. This contributes to:

- Safer navigation for people, cargo and the environment
- More efficient routes that reduce carbon dioxide emissions and environmental impact
- Lower costs for shipping through improved fuel efficiency and time savings
- Optimized voyage planning and safer execution of vessel voyages

Implementation of S-100
The Swedish Maritime Administration plans to gradually introduce S-100-based navigational information starting in January 2026.

Navigation Products and Services
As S-100 will replace today’s electronic navigational charts, a range of products and services are currently under development, initially by the Swedish Maritime Administration and, over time, also by other stakeholders in Sweden. The products and services planned to become available over the coming years are listed below.

S-101 Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC)

The electronic navigational chart display based on the new standard. S-101 will replace today’s digital nautical charts, which are based on a standard called S-57. S-101 will be introduced gradually in Swedish waters from 2026. National development is being carried out by the Swedish Maritime Administration.

S-102 will enable navigators to combine the navigational chart (S-101) with high-resolution depth information to identify better route options. It is planned for launch during 2026 in public fairways and approaches to ports. National development is being carried out by the Swedish Maritime Administration.

Having continuous access to up-to-date water level information is not only important for safe navigation, but also makes it possible to carry more cargo on vessels, thereby reducing overall transport needs. The service is planned to be introduced from around 2028. National development is being carried out jointly by the Swedish Maritime Administration and SMHI.

By planning routes to take advantage of natural surface currents, vessels can both reduce their environmental footprint and lower costs for shipping companies. The service is planned to be introduced from around 2028. Development is being carried out jointly by the Swedish Maritime Administration and SMHI.

S-129 aims to combine several different standards and datasets to continuously determine the distance between a vessel’s keel and the seabed. This enables more efficient loading and improves navigational safety. The S-129 service is made possible by, among other things, S-102 and S-104. The Swedish Maritime Administration considers that services such as S-129 should be provided by commercial market operators.

Last updated 2026-08-20

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