S-101: Electronic Navigational Charts

S-101: Electronic Navigational Charts

S-101 is the next generation standard for Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC).

Port of Melbourne – S-101 ENC in ECPINS (OSI Maritime)
Port of Melbourne – S-101 ENC in ECPINS (OSI Maritime)

S-101 ENCs are designed to be more flexible and interoperable than the existing S-57 ENC’s. Some of the enhancements introduced by S-101 when compared to S-57 are: 

  • S-101 can cater for a wider variety of languages. 
  • New symbology to reduce the use of explanatory text.
  • Optimised visualisation of sectored lights that improves the identification of changes introduced by ENC updates. 

The development of S-101 is an ongoing process and the standard is expected to continue evolving to meet the changing needs of the hydrographic community.