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Transport and Communications Agency

S-100 – next-generation navigation products

On this page, you can learn more about the new S-100 navigation products and services, their impact on shipping, and the progress towards their implementation.

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What is S-100?

S-100 is a framework for digital information exchange developed by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). It defines shared structures and formats for defining, processing and distributing maritime information. With the S-100 standard, maritime information from different sources can be integrated and presented in a unified manner in navigation systems.

Impact on shipping and mariners

For mariners, S-100 will provide access to a wider range of digital navigation products and services through bridge systems. The range of information available for navigation will expand through new data sources and by creating entirely new information by combining data from different sources.

The new information package will include, among other things, navigational warnings, more detailed depth information, information related to fairways, and up-to-date environmental information such as water levels and weather data, together with related forecasts. Information currently provided in nautical publications and used for route and voyage planning will also increasingly become available as S-100 data products. Despite the growing amount of information, the aim is to present information to mariners in a more accessible and easy-to-understand format.

Technology will also be updated, as the use of next-generation navigation products requires an S-100-compatible Electronic Chart Display and Information System (S-100 ECDIS). In addition to current electronic navigational charts (S-57 ENCs), S-100 ECDIS can use S-101 ENCs and several other S-100 products.

A decision by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) allows S-100 ECDIS installations on ships from 2026 onwards. From 2029 onwards, newly installed ECDIS equipment must support S-100 products (IMO Resolution MSC.530(106)).

What are the benefits of S-100?

S-100 navigation products provide shipping with more diverse and up-to-date information, as well as user-oriented and better interoperable services. Using these products in bridge systems improves navigation-related decision-making and contributes to safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly shipping.

Other benefits of S-100 include:

  • More accurate information enables the optimisation of routes and cargo, saving time and reducing costs and emissions.
  • Contributes to reducing the workload of personnel on ship bridges.
  • Enables the future development of digitalisation and automation in shipping, that is, e-Navigation.

Explore the new S-100 navigation products and services

Below you will find brief descriptions of the S-100 data products.

The Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) is a vector-based digital chart product that provides a depiction of the real world necessary for safe navigation. It forms the foundation upon which many other S-100 data products can be overlaid. 

The ENC is designed for use in Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) and meets the requirements set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. 

In Finland, the S-101 ENC is produced by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. The S-101 ENC is intended to replace navigational chart products based on the older IHO S-57 standard. During the transition period, Traficom will continue to produce S-57-based products. Like S-57 products, S-101 ENCs will be distributed via a centralized Regional ENC Coordinating Center (RENC). 

S-100

The S-102 Bathymetric Surface is a digital elevation model representing the seabed or other water body floor in a regular grid structure. It is designed to support safe and efficient navigation by providing high-resolution depth data. When used alongside other S-100 data products, bathymetric surfaces aid operational decision-making for mariners. In addition to depth values, the product may include uncertainty data related to those measurements. 

In Finland, the S-102 is produced by Traficom and will be distributed via a centralized RENC distribution system in the future. 

S-102_jpg

S-102 bathymetric surface combined with  S-101 electronic navigational chart data.

S101+S102

The S-104 provides observed real-time water level data and forecasted water levels for the near future, presented in a grid format. Understanding changes in water levels is essential for route planning and navigation in port areas. The product can be used to refine depth information shown in S-101 (ENC) and S-102 (Bathymetric Surface) products. 

In Finland, the S-104 is produced by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. 

S-104

The S-111 Surface Currents presents a time series of surface water movement—direction and speed—in a grid format. Knowledge of surface currents is important for navigational safety and efficiency, as currents affect vessel movement. The information is based on observations or hydrodynamic modeling and can be used in conjunction with the S-101 ENC to enhance the product range for navigation. 

In Finland, the S-111 is produced by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. 

s-111

The S-122 presents Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and the restrictions associated with them. It includes information on the area delimitations of protected areas, protection categories and any prohibitions or special requirements that must be taken into account in navigation.

S-122 helps vessels identify sensitive marine environments and supports environmental protection. The product complements and refines the information presented on the Electronic Navigational Chart (S-101) and supports route planning and operations in areas where environmental protection obligations are essential. 

The S-123 Marine Radio Services provides consolidated information on radio communication services, including their locations, coverage areas, service types and frequencies in use. The product includes, for example, the locations of VHF and DSC stations, service areas, and any radio outages or operational restrictions.

S-123 supports safe and efficient communication by providing a clear and up-to-date overview of where and how radio services are available. It complements traditional nautical publications and other S-100 data products by ensuring that the availability of radio services forms part of the overall situational awareness. 

S-124 Navigational Warnings enhance navigation by enabling the direct presentation of maritime safety information in ECDIS systems. These warnings are critical for the safety of navigation required by the SOLAS Convention (Safety of Life at Sea) to be distributed promptly. Traditionally, such warnings have been broadcast to ships as speech or text over radio. In the near future, the S-124 product is expected to become a core component of the digital navigational warning system, offering an alternative to conventional safety communication methods. 

In Finland, Traficom is responsible for navigational warnings, and the service is provided by Fintraffic. 

The S-125 Marine Aids to Navigation (AtoN) contains information on beacons, buoys and other physical and virtual aids that support navigation. The product covers both fixed and floating aids to navigation, including their locations, characteristics, visibility information and information on their operational status.

S-125 enables more detailed presentation of aids to navigation and their associated status information, such as fault reports. This improves situational awareness for vessels and supports safe navigation, particularly in busy or challenging waters. 

The S-127 Marine Traffic Management describes maritime traffic services and the related areas and structures. The product includes, for example, VTS and pilotage areas, traffic organisation schemes, routes and their associated recommendations, regulations and restrictions.

S-127 enhances situational awareness in areas where maritime traffic must be managed efficiently and proactively. It complements other S-100 data products by supporting the smooth and safe flow of maritime traffic and enabling more effective information exchange between vessels and authorities. 

The S-128 Catalogue of Nautical Products provides up-to-date information on available navigational charts, publications, and other S-100-based products, and e-navigation and online services. Its purpose is to simplify the discovery and acquisition of nautical products and services. The catalogue includes information such as coverage area, publication date, update status, and producers. The vector-based catalogue, compliant with the S-128 standard, can also be viewed within ECDIS. 

There is no single responsible organization for the S-128 catalogue; multiple providers can publish catalogues of their own products. 

Currently, Under Keel Clearance Management (UKCM) services are not in use in Finland or the Baltic Sea region. However, a description of the S-129 product is provided below for reference. 

The S-129 is designed to support information exchange between UKCM services and participating vessels, ensuring safe navigation in shallow water areas where such services are available. 

The product specification enables standardized vector-based information to be delivered from a UKCM service to a vessel’s navigation system, such as an ECDIS. The S-129 is typically used alongside the S-101 ENC, and where applicable, S-102 Bathymetric Surface and S-421 Route Plan products. 

The S-131 Marine Harbour Infrastructure describes port structures and arrangements, as well as the availability of port services.

S-131 supports navigation in port areas and the planning of routes and port calls. It complements the S-100 data framework by enabling the provision of more detailed information on ports. 

The Ice Information data product provides up-to-date information on ice conditions in sea areas. It includes information on ice thickness, ice type, ice movement and ice compression.

S-411 supports winter navigation by providing a view of the current ice situation. Displaying this information in a navigation system together with other S-100 data products supports safe and efficient navigation in changing conditions.

The data product describes marine weather and wave warnings as area-based information. Warnings are issued for wind, waves and icing, meaning conditions that may pose a threat to vessel safety.

S-412 helps users identify hazardous weather and sea conditions in good time. By displaying the information on an electronic navigational chart (S-101), users can clearly see warnings and risk areas and make decisions on route, speed and operations based on up-to-date information.

In Finland, the first S-100 products and services will be published during 2026. The products will be distributed through the Primar distribution centre (RENC).

You can find the official product specifications for S-100 products on the website of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) (in English). Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu.
Distribution of official Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data

National cooperation and coordination

The development of S-100 products requires a new type of cooperation between data producers. Harmonisation of navigation products is essential for achieving an interoperable and consistent end result.

Traficom coordinates nationally the development work related to S-100 data products, involving several different actors. In Finland, the new products are being developed by Traficom, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and Fintraffic.

The transition to the S-100 world is taking place on a global scale

International work provides the roadmap for the development of S-100 navigation products and services. Regulatory work carried out within the IMO sets the direction for the development of maritime digitalisation, e-Navigation and the S-100 framework.

The development of standards within the IHO guides the S-100 development work carried out in Finland. The objectives, phasing and timelines for implementation are defined in the IHO Roadmap for the S-100 Implementation Decade.

In the Baltic Sea region, the implementation of the standards is coordinated by the Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission (BSHC).

Learn more about the S-100 implementation roadmap on the IHO website (in English). Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu.

S-100 is a key part of e-Navigation, a concept defined by the IMO that aims at advancing the digitalisation of the maritime sector and the use of electronic navigation technologies in seafaring. As a concept, e-Navigation encompasses a wide range of digital systems and services aimed at ensuring the availability and effective use of information. It covers methods for collecting, integrating and exchanging information between different operators both on vessels and ashore.

Learn more about e-Navigation on the IMO website (in English). Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu.

More information

For more information on e-Navigation, S-100 coordination and maritime digitalization, contact us via e-mail: charts@traficom.fi

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