The maritime industry is changing fast, and companies operating in marine transport, fisheries, port operations, or offshore activities are seeing increasing pressure—and opportunity—to move from paper charts to digital navigation systems.
This transition improves safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Here’s how to do it well.
1. Understand the Regulatory & Hydrographic Environment
South Africa’s hydrographic authority, the South African Navy Hydrographic Office (SANHO), produces both paper charts and electronic navigational charts (ENCs), serving national, commercial, and defence customers.
Sanho
Knowing the legal and regulatory requirements—such as SOLAS, flag state, port state inspection rules, and international chart standards—is essential.
2. Evaluate Current Resources and Needs
Start by auditing your current chart use: which paper charts are active, which routes are most used, and how often corrections are required. Consider your vessel types, navigation risk, frequency of voyages, and crew training levels.
3. Invest in Digital Navigation Hardware & Software
You’ll need reliable chart plotters, ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems), GPS, AIS, radar integration, redundant power/backup display systems, and up‑to‑date ENCs.
4. Data Management & Chart Updating
Digital systems are only as good as their data. Ensure you have a process in place for getting regular ENC updates and Notices to Mariners. SANHO provides ENCs and updates for coastal South Africa.
Also establish what happens in cases of sensor failure or when data links are lost.
5. Training & Change Management
Switching from paper to digital requires investment in staff training. Crew need to become comfortable reading digital charts, using chart plotters and backups, interpreting ENC symbology, and understanding how passage planning changes. Also ensure clear procedures for backup, particularly in case of system failure.
6. Maintain Paper Backups & Redundancy
Even when going digital, most regulations require emergency folios or backup paper charts for critical areas, or at least a way to print or display paper alternatives in emergencies. Redundancy in display systems, power supply, and data inputs helps guard against system outages.
7. Phased Implementation & Pilot Projects
Rather than an overnight switch, start with one vessel or route as a pilot to test workflows, training, hardware reliability, and data processes. Collect feedback, refine your approach, then scale up across the fleet or operations.
By following these steps, maritime companies can transition to digital navigation in a way that enhances operational safety, cuts costs in chart maintenance, and ensures compliance. The future of navigation is digital—and making the shift proactively will position you ahead in the maritime sector.
Contact us for more information or to find out about the navigational products that we supply.