On the 22nd of June, the Canadian Hydrographic Service is launching the S-100 services for safe and optimized e-navigation. In the world of maritime navigation, it is revolutionary. This new international marine data format enhances the safety of navigation and unlocks the potential of marine geospatial data. In the near future, global ocean currents produced at the Mercator Ocean could be accessible via the S-100 version.
Only a few countries in the world have started using the S-100 standard at present. Canada is at the forefront, leading the way to the operational implementation of S-100 standards and transforming the world of hydrography into a digital one. The S-100 international standard is an essential component of the move to the digital world.
We have been talking about this standard for 15 years but now is the time we start implementing it. Canada is leading the way to the operational implementation of this standard. End users on board ships are testing it with their portable units.
The S-100 service allows marine data such as currents or ice coverage to be easily distributed and shared with users in real time in one click. Today, all the access to marine data must be simplified for end users. Many ships at sea rely on onboard marine navigation software to operate their global ship routing, fed by marine data. The S-100 format now allows navigation software to be updated in one click with up-to-date data. The Canadian Hydrographic Service has started to implement this standard and will launch the service on the 22nd of June, 2020, to celebrate the World Hydrography Day. The format of S-102 for bathymetry and S-111 for currents will be available.
Implementing a standardised data format opens new possibilities for GIS software users who can have more marine data available. This format will spread the use of hydrographic and marine data to a wider community of users in particular fields such as coastal zone management or marine renewable energy applications.
Simplifying the access to relevant marine data and information is imperative in many sectors. It is with this objective that Mercator Ocean International and the Canadian Hydrographic Service are collaborating to implement the global ocean 1/12 physics analysis and forecast product, delivered by the Copernicus Marine Service, in the available data of S-100 services. If successful, more of our marine data and models will strengthen the S-100 services.
To celebrate World Hydrography Day, the S-100 services launch will take place on the 22nd of June from 13:00 to 16:00 (HAE). Join the live event by following the link.