Electronic navigational chart data

As in other hydrographic offices, SHOM (Service Hydrographique et Oceanographique de la Marine) is developing databases for electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS). Those databases are populated by information coming from thematic files or by digitization of paper charts. Selection of information needed for ECDIS is dictated by specifications defined by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). To produce electronic navigational charts (ENC), SHOM must convert its data in a codification scheme conforming with the transfer standard defined by the IHO. Distribution of data, centralized by regional coordinators, will be made on a medium like CD-ROM, but it is intended to provide updating by the mean of INMARSAT network