S-100
The Next Generation of Digital Hydrographic Data
S-100 is the International Hydrographic Organization’s framework for the next generation of digital hydrographic data and services.
It enables the development of a new ecosystem of interoperable maritime products, supporting the exchange and integration of multiple data types within modern navigation systems.
Built on a shared data model, S-100 allows different hydrographic and maritime datasets to work seamlessly together, creating new opportunities for enhanced situational awareness and safer navigation.
For PRIMAR, S-100 forms the foundation for supporting future ENC services and a growing range of digital hydrographic products as the maritime data landscape continues to evolve.
Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC)
An Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) is a vector chart produced on the authority of a government authorized Hydrographic Office or other relevant government institution.
Its primary purpose is for use within an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) chart carriage requirements. However, it may also be used as the base dataset in other S-100 based marine navigation systems.
The ENC contains an extraction of real-world information necessary for the safe navigation of vessels.
Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC)
An Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) is a vector chart produced on the authority of a government authorized Hydrographic Office or other relevant government institution.
Its primary purpose is for use within an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) chart carriage requirements. However, it may also be used as the base dataset in other S-100 based marine navigation systems.
The ENC contains an extraction of real-world information necessary for the safe navigation of vessels.
Bathymetric Surface
The primary purpose of the Bathymetric Surface Product is to provide high-resolution bathymetry in gridded form in support of safety of navigation.
The S-102 product will provide maritime users with detailed bathymetric data as a coverage layer to improve decision making on ship navigation and for other purposes.
The S-102 enables end-users to generate 3D visualisations of underwater ocean floors, so-called high-definition gridded bathymetry (HDGB), to support safety at sea, facilitate precise navigation and improve route planning operations for navigators and pilots.
Bathymetric Surface
The primary purpose of the Bathymetric Surface Product is to provide high-resolution bathymetry in gridded form in support of safety of navigation.
The S-102 product will provide maritime users with detailed bathymetric data as a coverage layer to improve decision making on ship navigation and for other purposes.
The S-102 enables end-users to generate 3D visualisations of underwater ocean floors, so-called high-definition gridded bathymetry (HDGB), to support safety at sea, facilitate precise navigation and improve route planning operations for navigators and pilots.
Water Level Information for Surface Navigation
The S-104 product supplies data on water levels for safe navigation. It contains hydrodynamic forecasts of water levels that have been generated from operational oceanographic forecast systems.
This product aims to encapsulate and transfer tidal and water level data to be used in ECDIS or any other dynamic tide application. The S-104 will provide end-users with information on historical and real-time water level observations and water level predictions.
Water Level Information for Surface Navigation
The S-104 product supplies data on water levels for safe navigation. It contains hydrodynamic forecasts of water levels that have been generated from operational oceanographic forecast systems.
This product aims to encapsulate and transfer tidal and water level data to be used in ECDIS or any other dynamic tide application. The S-104 will provide end-users with information on historical and real-time water level observations and water level predictions.
Surface Currents
This product offers information on surface water currents. Data consists of formatted S-111 surface current forecast files, derived from operational OHPS-SLFE high resolution FEM models.
As surface currents significantly affect vessel motions, the S-111 will ultimately help to maintain safety of navigation.
Surface Currents
This product offers information on surface water currents. Data consists of formatted S-111 surface current forecast files, derived from operational OHPS-SLFE high resolution FEM models.
As surface currents significantly affect vessel motions, the S-111 will ultimately help to maintain safety of navigation.
Marine Protected Areas
The S-122 product will supplement the S-101 ENC by encoding information on protected areas, oceans, estuaries or large lakes, so-called Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), so it can be used in ECDIS and other information systems.
Marine Protected Areas
The S-122 product will supplement the S-101 ENC by encoding information on protected areas, oceans, estuaries or large lakes, so-called Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), so it can be used in ECDIS and other information systems.
Marine Radio Services
Marine Radio Services
This is a standardized digital format for conveying the location, availability, and types of radio communication services, including VHF, HF, DSC, and AIS, to support electronic navigation. It provides machine-readable details on service areas, schedules, contact information, and maritime safety information like NAVTEX or weather, complementing S-101 ENCs.Navigational Warnings
S-124 is a digital product specification for Navigational Warnings (NW) designed for seamless integration into ECDIS and other navigation systems. It enables automated, real-time, or near-real-time updates of hazards directly on charts, replacing text-based, manually entered radio warnings with interactive, location-specific data, improving situational awareness and safety.
Navigational Warnings
S-124 is a digital product specification for Navigational Warnings (NW) designed for seamless integration into ECDIS and other navigation systems. It enables automated, real-time, or near-real-time updates of hazards directly on charts, replacing text-based, manually entered radio warnings with interactive, location-specific data, improving situational awareness and safety.
Catalogue of Nautical Products
Datasets describing the availability of charts and other nautical products, applications for navigational purposes, online services and e-Navigation services. This includes their issue date, status, producing agency, and coverage.
The S-128 product catalogue should include all of the S-100 products and services within a defined geographical area.
Catalogue of Nautical Products
Datasets describing the availability of charts and other nautical products, applications for navigational purposes, online services and e-Navigation services. This includes their issue date, status, producing agency, and coverage.
The S-128 product catalogue should include all of the S-100 products and services within a defined geographical area.
Under Keel Clearance Management
The S-129 product intends to support maritime safety and efficiency of marine traffic by focusing on the clearance between vessel keel and bottom.
This will help navigators plan sailing in areas with small margins between keel and vessel and provide information on the optimal sailing time based on water levels.
S-129 is a vector product specification intended for encoding the extent and nature of UKCM information products for navigational purposes. The dataset is a file containing under keel clearance data for a particular geographic region and set of times, along with the accompanying metadata describing the content, variables, applicable times and locations, and structure of the dataset.
Under keel clearance management data includes vessel and voyage specific areas assessed as being navigationally safe or unsafe with regard to under keel clearance, and windows within which these assessments are valid, based upon observed and/or mathematically predicted values. The frequency of dataset updates depends on the voyage and local conditions.
Under Keel Clearance Management
The S-129 product intends to support maritime safety and efficiency of marine traffic by focusing on the clearance between vessel keel and bottom.
This will help navigators plan sailing in areas with small margins between keel and vessel and provide information on the optimal sailing time based on water levels.
S-129 is a vector product specification intended for encoding the extent and nature of UKCM information products for navigational purposes. The dataset is a file containing under keel clearance data for a particular geographic region and set of times, along with the accompanying metadata describing the content, variables, applicable times and locations, and structure of the dataset.
Under keel clearance management data includes vessel and voyage specific areas assessed as being navigationally safe or unsafe with regard to under keel clearance, and windows within which these assessments are valid, based upon observed and/or mathematically predicted values. The frequency of dataset updates depends on the voyage and local conditions.
Enabling the S-100 Data Ecosystem
PRIMAR provides the infrastructure, tools, and operational services needed to support the next generation of hydrographic data products built on the S-100 framework.
Flexible infrastructure PRIMAR’s flexible service infrastructure is designed to efficiently manage and distribute S-100 datasets, ensuring that end users receive the latest maritime data quickly and reliably.
Faster data from sensor to bridge As new S-100 data sets become available, PRIMAR enables rapid dissemination while maintaining rigorous quality control. This significantly reduces the time between data collection and operational use, allowing pilots and other maritime users to receive critical updates within hours rather than days or weeks.
Supporting the transition to S-101 As the maritime community transitions to S-101, PRIMAR will continue to support the availability of existing S-57 ENC services. This ensures uninterrupted access to official chart data while enabling a smooth and reliable transition to next-generation standards.
Preparing for S-100
The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) has established a clear roadmap for the implementation of the S-100 framework. As this strategy progresses, S-100 will shape the next generation of maritime digital products.
Implementation will take place gradually, and as product specifications mature, supporting frameworks are being established, and S-100 compatible systems will enter operational use. However, the direction is clear: an increasing number of S-100 products will become available throughout the decade.
As S-100-ready systems enter the market, new datasets and services will become available. The products will support improved situational awareness and better decision-making.
From route optimisation and fuel efficiency to improved use of available manoeuvring space, S-100 products are expected to provide mariners with richer and more integrated navigation information.
PRIMAR supports this transition by providing the infrastructure, operational services, and data management capabilities required to handle the increasing volume and diversity of S-100 based datasets. As Hydrographic Offices begin releasing new S-100 products, PRIMAR’s service framework ensures that these datasets can be managed, validated, and distributed efficiently to the maritime community.