European cooperation for the provision of a consistent, timely and reliable Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) service for sea transport, operationally compliant with international maritime safety codes, and which meets all relevant standards and regulations issued by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO). Through authorised distributors, to provide the maritime community with an ENC service recognised for its quality, user-friendliness and overall contribution to maritime safety and efficiency. The IHO has developed a prototype official electronic navigation chart (ENC) for use on board ships. It is based on ECDI technology and can be used as a sole means of real time navigation, without the use of updated paper charts. The product, Primar Stavanger, has been hailed as one of the major achievements for maritime safety. Primar Stavanger started its operation in April 2002 with 5 member nations. This cooperation has now been successfully extended to include ENC information from 9 nations. Negotiations are currently taking place to include more nations from Europe and other parts of the world. The overall objective is to export the technology and expertise and experience behind it to other geographic regions worldwide and establish an integrated virtual global ENC service. The project was established and has been implemented by the Norwegian Hydrographic Service based on bilateral agreements and coordinated through an Advisory Committee attended by cooperating Hydrographic Offices.

Main results, benefits and impacts

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Return on investment

Return on investment: Not applicable / Not available

Lessons learnt

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