The Regional ENC Distribution Centre PRIMAR has released the first in a series of data sets based on the new S-100 standard for electronic navigation to get critical sea trials underway on Canada’s St. Lawrence River that signal a significant technological leap in navigational safety and efficiency.

“This ground-breaking project marks a major evolution of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems  with implementation of multi-layered 3D hydrographic data sets that allow greater interoperability and navigational capability versus the existing S-57 standard that relies on a single layer of 2D data,” says PRIMAR Director Hans Christoffer Lauritzen.

The Canadian S-101 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC), now made available in the PRIMAR product catalogue, forms the base layer for the so-called S-100 universal hydrographic data model, developed by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) as a global framework for digital products and services, that is due for adoption in January 2026.

E-navigation building block

S-100, which will ultimately replace the current S-57 standard in use for over two decades, is designed to accommodate the requirements of digital transformation of the maritime industry and is seen as a key building block of the IMO’s e-navigation concept for collection, exchange and analysis of marine data to optimise navigation.

The Canadian trials represent the first comprehensive live tests of the S-100 standard and have attracted strong industry interest. These will involve large-scale testing of a series of S-100 products in ship operations from June to November this year on a 350km stretch of the busy commercial waterway between Quebec and Montreal.

Challenging conditions, such as strong currents and tidal ranges up to six metres, deep-water sections and navigational elements like bridges and overhead cables make the St. Lawrence River an ideal playground for the trials, which are being led by the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) as a leading producer of several S-100 products. The trials are seen as the first step towards full implementation of S-100 in Canadian waters.

Planning, navigation and monitoring

Project participants, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), software developers, pilots, mariners, port authorities and VTS centres, will be able to engage in maritime planning, navigation and monitoring to assess the interplay of different S-100 products, either by attending physically or remotely using simulators supporting the new data formats.

Lauritzen says the primary objective of the six-month trials is to stimulate ECDIS development by OEMs based on the S-100 standard. “Through demonstrating the value of these products to the end-user community, we hope these trials will generate interest and momentum to accelerate implementation of this standard in ECDIS systems,” he explains.

The trials are also intended to showcase the practical application of S-100 products for mariners, port authorities, VTS centres and pilotage services.

Data validation role

PRIMAR RENC, which has a long-standing collaboration with the CHS, is playing a key role as the data validation and distribution hub for the Canada sea trials. This entails quality assurance of datasets prior to release, securing data flow, encryption and providing update mechanisms.

Operated on a non-profit basis by the Norwegian Hydrographic Service in partnership with compatriot Electronic Chart Centre (ECC), PRIMAR is one of the world’s two RENCs following IHO principles to coordinate the efforts of hydrographic offices to deliver electronic chart data to end-users in a reliable and cost-effective manner.

Having recently released the CHS-produced S-101 ENCs, PRIMAR has also made available the S-102 Bathymetric Surface product and this will be followed by S-104 data sets for Water Level Information to be released later this month. Further products including S-111 Surface Currents and S-124 Navigational Warnings will be rolled out over the coming weeks.

Testing of data interoperability

“These tests will enable us to assess the interoperability of the different datasets and how the various layers of information – such as bathymetric, tide and current data – are displayed and function together in an ECDIS system. We will also be able to test S-100 data distribution across the value chain from producer via suppliers to an end-user system,” Lauritzen says, adding that PRIMAR will also need to be distributing S-57 in parallel with S-100 during a transitional phase.

Integration of S-100 datasets can deliver a more holistic 3D picture of maritime conditions, providing a comprehensive environment to inform better navigational decision-making, which is vital for AI-driven automated navigation systems to facilitate autonomous shipping.

“This allows for more precise route planning, faster port turnarounds, safer navigation calculations and real-time adjustments based on detailed environmental data to realise fuel savings and other efficiencies,” Lauritzen explains.

“The interoperability of these datasets can enable AI-driven navigation systems to make more accurate decisions about vessel routing, potential obstacles, safe passage times and optimal navigation strategies, ultimately enhancing safety, operational efficiency and sustainability,” he concludes.