01 July 2026
Have your say on the future of paper charts
The UKHO are seeking feedback on proposed changes to ADMIRALTY paper charts
Although demand has been falling, paper charts continue to play an important role in supporting safe and compliant navigation for many mariners, including sailors and water users, around the world.
The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has been working to ensure the ongoing supply of paper charts in a sustainable way that is affordable for the UKHO, its distributors and customers alike and are asking for your input in their current survey.
What is changing?
Users ranging from large commercial ships to small leisure boats, have historically been served by Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) and Small Craft Charts (SCCs). Many commercial ships now use Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) to display Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC). ADMIRALTY Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data is therefore becoming the primary data source for ADMIRALTY SNCs.
To achieve this the UKHO is exploring possible changes to how paper charts are structured, updated, and made available. The proposal is to simplify the available charts to reduce the number and duplication. The solution includes using fewer, more standardised scale of charts and creating a single service with a mix of A0 and A2 charts to support all mariners including both commercial and leisure boaters.
How charts are updated will be modernised and, in some areas, new editions will be published more frequently.
Having consulted industry bodies, including the RYA, on its plans, the UKHO is now looking for feedback from chart users and is keen to understand how the changes they are making could affect usage by mariners.
Have your say
If you’d like to have your say, please complete the survey at your earliest convenience. The survey is expected to close in mid-July and should only take 10 minutes to complete. Although some of the questions are worded with commercial mariners onboard in mind, the survey is directed to all mariners and the UKHO is specifically requesting input from leisure sailors, so please don’t be put off answering by the wording of the questions.
Your feedback will directly inform how the SNC and SCC product is developed and will be used by UKHO to help ensure the right decisions as made to enable paper charts to evolve.
For more information, please visit the UKHO website.