The 15th Meeting of the Hydrographic Services and Standards Committee (HSSC-15), organized by the Finish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, was held in Helsinki from 5 to 9 June 2023.

Key topic of HSSC15 was implementation of the new standard S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model, which will be the basis for development of the IMO e-navigation concept. In this respect, implementation of the S-100 model not only obliges hydrographic offices to produce new generation of electronic navigational charts from S-57 to S-101 format, but concerns transformation ad digitalization of entire maritime sector, including the production of other S-100 models. Implementation of the S-100 model will start as of 1 January 2026, to become fully applicable as of 1 January 2030.

The discussion was about the promotion and coordination of the development of hydrographic standards, specifications and guidelines for official products and services, both for existing standards and formats and for the new S-100 standard, to meet the requirements of mariners and other users of hydrographic information.

The meeting was attended by representatives of 30 member states, as well as representatives of interested parties and industry, a total of almost 80 participants, focusing specifically on the implementation of S-100 standard.

The Republic of Croatia was represented by Vinka Kolić, Director of the Hydrographic Institute.

More information on the topics of HSSC15 is available at:  https://iho.int/en/hssc15-2023

About HSSC:

HSSC is the most important technical body of the International Hydrographic Organization, that aims to implement strategic plan and work programme of the International Hydrographic Organization by ensuring strategic development, promote and coordinate the development of hydrographic standards, specifications and guidelines for official products and services to meet the requirements of mariners and other users of hydrographic information, to enhance safety of navigation at sea, protection of the marine environment, maritime security and economic development.

HSSC is the IHO technical steering group acting on behalf of all member states and reporting once a year to the IHO Council and once every three years to the IHO Assembly.

More information on the work of HSSC is available at: https://iho.int/en/hssc