Navionics & Sevencs Join Forces
Navionics S.p.A. of Viareggio, Italy, and SevenCs GMBH of Hamburg, Germany, announce that they have joined forces to produce and distribute electronic charts for the commercial shipping market.Merging Navionics' extensive database with SevenCs' technology, the companies created a new database compliant with the IMO-IHO S57.3 technical standards, as required by large commercial vessels and professional mariners. Both companies will begin distribution of the new product in December 2001. The introductory offering will present full coverage of Europe and North America, and worldwide coverage will be available sometime in 2002. Gert Büttgenbach, Technical Director of SevenCs, explained, "We are very excited about our new relationship with Navionics.
Charting The World Electronically
The advent of electronic chart technology has left ship and boat owners with an unprecedented tool to aid in safe and efficient navigation. But while the electronic advances have swept interest and headlines around the world, they have also created a considerable amount of confusion regarding, for example, when electronic charts can legally replace paper versions. With the notion of clearing the air, MR/EN has spoken with one of the world's leading companies in the field, C-Map, to discuss the ins and outs of new electronic chart technology. Currently, ship owners are focusing on the availability of quality electronic chart data for ECDIS. C-Map, being the largest supplier of charts in digital format, has responded to the requirements by offering worldwide coverage on CD ROM.
