Enc Service News

Set against the background of increasing cyber threats to the maritime industry, e-Navigation specialist NAVTOR has moved to demonstrate the integrity of its innovative NavBox solution with ‘cyber secure’ certification (IEC 61162-460 Gateway) from DNV GL. NavBox, which automates the distribution and updates of digital charts, publications and other navigational data, now guarantees both complete regulatory compliance and security for an increasingly digitized generation of shipowners…

E-navigation specialist NAVTOR said it has set its sights on the U.S. shipping market with a new office opening in Seattle. The Norwegian business, which has built a global network of facilities since forming in 2011, has, until now, serviced the territory from its Egersund headquarters. However, growing demand Stateside for the firm’s product portfolio has prompted the team to establish NAVTOR USA Inc. NAVTOR launched its ENC service to market in 2012 and, since then, has built a global client base on the back of its mission of making life simpler for navigators…

Almost three-quarters of cargo ships over 20,000 gross tonnage (GT) are already compliant with the SOLAS-mandated Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) deadline of July 1, 2017, according to the latest figures published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO). The UKHO estimates that a further 3,828 cargo ships over 20,000 GT are yet to make the transition to using an ENC (Electronic Navigational Chart) service and therefore do not yet meet SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations on ECDIS carriage.

C-MAP has been appointed by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) as an official ADMIRALTY Digital Distributor and SENC Service Provider. Following this appointment, C-MAP, will now supply ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service (AVCS), C-MAP ADMIRALTY ENC Service (CAES), ADMIRALTY Digital Publications (ADP) and Electronic Nautical Publications (e-NPs) through its global network of offices and distributors. AVCS - the world’s leading ENC Service - will be provided by C-MAP in both traditional S-63 format and in the time and cost efficient DNV certified SENC data compression format. Named C-MAP ADMIRALTY ENC Service (CAES), the new service is complementary to other C-MAP services including Weather, Piracy and Professional+ (Pro+) chart data.

Specialist ship owner, operator and manager GC Rieber has signed a fleet-wide agreement with NAVTOR for a total vessel navigation solution, spanning both paper and digital deliveries. NAVTOR, a global leader in e-navigation technology and services, will now install products throughout GC Rieber’s portfolio of advanced seismic and offshore ships, enhancing overall fleet efficiency, safety and cost control. The agreement is far reaching in scope. It covers the delivery of all digital and paper charts and publications…

The majority of the global SOLAS fleet is now compliant with the SOLAS regulations on ECDIS carriage, according to the latest data published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) at Posidonia. As of May 2016, 51 percent of all vessels that are subject to the SOLAS regulations on the mandatory carriage of ECDIS, including those that do not trade internationally, are now fully ECDIS ready. This is an increase of 6 percent in the past six months. Furthermore, out of almost 42,000 internationally trading vessels, the UKHO now estimates that 59 percent are ECDIS ready, which is defined as using an ENC (Electronic Navigational Chart) service on ECDIS.

Driven by the SOLAS-mandated transition to ECDIS, the adoption of digital navigation is the most visible sign of how navigational practices are being transformed. Additional tools are also playing an important role in supporting bridge teams and delivering accurate navigational information to the bridge. We are now halfway through the transition period under the timetable set out in the amendments to the SOLAS Convention adopted in 2009, requiring the mandatory carriage of ECDIS for ships engaged on international voyages.

E-navigation specialist NAVTOR said it is continuing to build its business footprint beyond Europe, with the news that the Norwegian firm is expanding its new Singapore office. The base, which opened in December 2014, has given the firm an important foothold in the Southeast Asian market, driving new business with shipowners and managers such as NEOM, SeaTeam, Waruna Shipping, Samudera Shipping, and Sattech International. NAVTOR launched its ENC service in 2012, followed by its move into Singapore, and then by another office opening in Japan in September 2015.

Less than a year after opening its first office in Asia, Norwegian e-navigation specialist NAVTOR is expanding in the region again - this time with a dedicated presence in Japan. NAVTOR Japan K.K. will help the firm, known for its simple, efficient and cost effective ENC distribution solutions, continue to roll out its European success worldwide, securing an important foothold in this key shipping arena. “The importance of Japan to shipping, and to suppliers that serve the industry, can’t be overstated,” comments Tor Svanes, NAVTOR CEO. “The market is established, stable and mature, but at the same time defined by owners and operators that invest in state-of-the-art technology, while focusing on absolutely optimal efficiency and operational security.

SOLAS regulations on the mandatory carriage of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) for all tankers of 3,000 gross metric tons or more come into force July 1, 2015. Of the more than 8,750 tankers in the global fleet that are required to comply with these regulations by their first survey following this date, 54 percent are now using ENCs (Electronic Nautical Charts) on ECDIS, according to United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO). Progress has been made in recent months…

E-navigation specialist NAVTOR has joined forces with Nautic AB, a provider of navigational equipment, charts and publications to the Swedish market, to launch NAVTOR NAUTIC AB. This jointly owned operation, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, will now leverage the expertise of the two businesses to offer a navigational data package to the international shipping industry. This, NAVTOR Managing Director and CEO Tor A. Svanes says, created an obvious synergy and the potential for real customer benefits.

Odfjell will roll out NAVTOR e-navigation solutions throughout its entire fleet, a move that aims to increase operational efficiency while reducing the number of man-hours spent on administration across the ship owner’s 50 deep-sea vessels. E-navigation specialist NAVTOR will facilitate Odfjell’s transition from paper charts to paperless navigation, ensuring its vessels meet the class deadline for compliance with the IMO’s ECDIS mandate July 2015. The 40,000 dwt Bow Sky is the first ship to adopt NAVTOR’s AVCS service, with a further roll out planned throughout Q1 and Q2 2015.

E-navigation specialist NAVTOR has set course for Asia, with the news that the Egersund, Norway-based business has opened an office in Singapore. The move comes in response to growing regional demand for simple, efficient and cost effective ENC distribution solutions, as the IMO’s ECDIS Mandate continues its gradual roll out. In Europe, NAVTOR is already a recognised leader in ENC distribution and an e-navigation pioneer, holding a preferred supplier position with companies such as Hurtigruten, Teekay, DOF and RCL Cruises. Its ENC service, which is used by owners controlling more than 70% of the entire Norwegian offshore fleet, launched in 2012…

NAVTOR has signed an agreement with maritime weather routing specialist Applied Weather Technology (AWT) that will see the two companies integrating their services to offer route planning and decision making tools. As a result of the deal, AWT’s routing and optimization systems will be offered on NAVTOR’s recently launched NavStation software. NavStation operates as the world’s first “digital chart table,” gathering and overlaying all the data maritime navigators require – including ENCs, digital publications, and other services like piracy updates – on a single screen.

E-navigation pioneer NAVTOR has signed an agreement with maritime weather routing specialist Applied Weather Technology (AWT) that will see the two companies integrating their services to offer the ultimate in route planning and decision making tools. As a result of the deal, AWT's market leading routing and optimisation systems will now be offered on NAVTOR's recently launched NavStation software. NavStation operates as the world's first "digital chart table," gathering and overlaying all the data maritime navigators require – including ENCs…

The majority of ships in the global tanker fleet have yet to adopt ECDIS, according to data published for the first time by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO). The SOLAS regulations on the mandatory carriage of ECDIS will come into force from July 1, 2015 for all tankers over 3,000 gross metric tons, apart from permitted exemptions. Over 8,500 tankers will be required to comply with these rules and, with less than 10 months to go, the UKHO can reveal that 58% of these ships do not yet use an ENC service.

Touch screen technology has transformed everyday life and now, thanks to Norwegian e-navigation specialist NAVTOR, it is set to revolutionize operations onboard busy vessel bridges. Today sees the launch of the NAVTOR NavStation, the world’s first ‘Digital Chart Table’ and a breakthrough in bridge-based decision making tools. NavStation combines unique software with an optional 46inch ‘gigapad’ touch device, giving navigators an intuitive and user-friendly interface to plan optimal vessel routes.

E-navigation specialist NAVTOR has signed a landmark fleet agreement with DOF Management, the owner and operator of 78 advanced offshore service vessels. The deal will see NAVTOR’s innovative and user-friendly ENC service rolling out across DOF’s high-end CSVs, PSVs and AHTS vessels [Construction Support Vessels (CSVs), Platform Support Vessels (PSVs) and Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels (AHTS)], which operate in all key oil and gas regions worldwide. DOF has a 30-year track record of success in providing cutting-edge vessels to some of the biggest names in the energy industry.

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has added two digital charts of the South China Sea to its ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service (AVCS) to complete the coverage. The cover is now complete for shipping routes from Singapore to China and beyond. Jason Scholey, Senior Product Manager - Charts, commented: “We are delighted to announce the inclusion of these two charts to AVCS. This continues to ensure that our customers have the most comprehensive global maritime ENC service…

NAVTOR, a company that delivers e-navigation solutions, announced market breakthroughs in the Norwegian offshore shipping segment. According to NAVTOR, a flurry of new client signings means that shipowners controlling 72% of the entire national fleet are now rolling the firm’s ENC service out across their vessels. NAVTOR said it is the navigation partner of choice for the Norwegian offshore segment, which today accounts for 44% of the nation’s total shipping business. NAVTOR has achieved this position just two years after the launch of its ENC service, which is compatible with all ECDIS, regardless of make. The service is offered for distribution on the preloaded USB-based NavStick…

E-navigation specialist Navtor  has secured arguably one of its most high-profile customers to date, with the news that the entire Hurtigruten fleet has signed up to use its innovative ENC Service. The agreement has been reached ahead of the July 2014 deadline for existing passenger vessels to conform with IMO’s ECDIS Carriage Requirement (ECDIS Mandate). Hurtigruten, translating as ‘the express route,’ is one of Norway’s most iconic shipping brand. Established 120 years ago, the fleet serves the country’s west and northern coastline…

A software update now makes the Admiralty Information overlay available on all current JRC ECDIS models. The Admiralty Information Overlay, a free service to Admiralty Vector Chart Service customers, is a simple way to view the most comprehensive and up-to-date chart information when navigating with electronic navigational charts (ENCs). The Overlay is the only service available to include worldwide Admiralty Temporary and Preliminary Notices to Mariners and new ENC Preliminary Notices to Mariners, which identify navigationally significant differences between ENCs and Admiralty paper charts. Mariners the world over rely on Admiralty updates to help them navigate safely, via the weekly ‘Notices to Mariners’ publication, which is used to manually update paper charts.

Chart World’s eGlobe ECDIS receives type approval from the United States Coast Guard. After reviewing Chart World’s ECDIS ‘eGlobe’ the United States Coast Guard (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) has assigned the approval on August 15th, 2012. This additional approval opens the door to the North American market. Having been successfully introduced the eGlobe ECDIS being part of the new concept “ECDIS as a Service” can continue to grow in this part of the world. The eGlobe ECDIS is one module in a sequence including official ENCs, a customized maintenance concept for ECDIS and cost-effective training opportunities. ChartWorld’s leading software and services will help shipping companies and deck officers to master the demanding transition to ‘Paperless Digital Navigation’.