The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is seeking feedback to help inform the future pricing of ADMIRALTY paper charts.

Paper charts continue to play an important role in supporting safe navigation for many mariners, often alongside digital navigation tools. As part of its ongoing work to ensure the long-term sustainability of its paper chart service, the UKHO has been exploring changes to the way ADMIRALTY paper charts are produced, maintained and updated.

Over the summer, the UKHO conducted research with the maritime community to gather views on proposed changes to its Admiralty Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) and Small Craft Charts (SCCs). The research supports the UKHO’s plans to automate chart production and, ultimately, chart maintenance to help secure the future provision of paper charts.

What changes are being considered?

The survey explored two key areas of change:

1. A rescheme of UK charting, merging the currently separate SNC and SCC charts into a single scheme that supports two different chart sizes.
2. Changes to how charts are updated, moving to pictorial updates instead of the current text-based approach.

More than 600 survey responses helped the UKHO identify several key themes.

Respondents highlighted the importance of maintained chart coverage, confidence and usability. The findings also reinforced the continuing role of paper charts in supporting digital navigation, with more than 80% of respondents using paper charts alongside digital charts.

Paper charts were most commonly used for pre-departure appraisal and planning, while around a third of respondents said they still form part of their primary navigation method.

Affordability also emerged as a significant concern, particularly among leisure boaters. In recent years, the UKHO has used chart pricing to help sustain its paper chart service against falling demand. The survey results highlight the impact this is having on mariners' ability to access the charts they need.

Have your say  

In response to these findings, the UKHO is now conducting a pricing survey to understand acceptable price points for the reschemed UK charts.

If you would like to share your views, please complete the ADMIRALTY paper chart pricing survey by Saturday 31 October 2026.

Your feedback will help to inform the UKHO’s future approach to paper chart pricing and support its ongoing work to maintain a sustainable paper chart service.