Overview of Standards for Electronic Navigational Charts

In the early 1980s, with the rapid development of geospatial technologies the development of Electronic Navigational Charts – ENC began. With a heavy emphasis on data security, because of its navigational purpose, the implementation of ENC was approached very cautiously. One of the key features of every product, which enables easier global use, is its standardization. The paper provides basic information related to the ENC and by studying all editions of publications for ENC, the reports of the Working groups of the International Hydrographic Organization – IHO and articles that followed the implementation process of ENC standards an overview of ENC standards is given, with the focus on two basic standards published in S-57 and S 52 publications. Also described is a new, currently under construction, standard for ENC (S-100) and the prediction of the future development guidelines with the concept of e-Navigation in mind