The Norwegian Hydrographic Service (NHS) and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) have decided to establish two Regional ENC Coordinating Centres (RENCs) to meet the requirements of all Cooperating Hydrographic Offices (CHOs). The Norwegian Hydrographic Service will operate the RENC using current infrastructure and services in Stavanger, Norway - operative from 1 April 2002. “The NHS RENC is based on close cooperation between European HOs (CHOs), ensuring the HOs full control and continual access to their national RENC ENC product database,” said Kjell Birkevold, department director, Norwegian Mapping Authority. The fit-for-purpose and cost effective service by the NHS in Norway will be operated with established proven technology and infrastructure already used by Primar.