The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and France’s national hydrographic and oceanographic office, Shom, have launched what is arguably the most ambitious test of S-100 data standards yet. Their international sea trials programme, running under the International Hydrographic Organisation’s (IHO) coordinated testbed framework, is not just a technical exercise, it’s a glimpse into the future of maritime navigation.
What’s happening
Since August, UKHO has been working with partners including Raymarine and DFDS to deploy S-100-enabled ECDIS aboard the Stena Vinga ferry, navigating from Portsmouth to Jersey. Early next year, the trials will extend across the English Channel to Saint-Malo — a route chosen for its tidal complexity and cross-border challenges.
The trials will test six interoperable S-100 data layers in live navigation scenarios:
Multiple ECDIS and portable pilot unit manufacturers are involved, from Furuno to Navtor, ensuring that interoperability — the key to S-100 — is front and centre.
Why this matters
S-100 isn’t just a new standard, it’s a framework designed to make maritime data richer, smarter and more connected. By harmonising data formats across borders and systems, S-100 promises safer navigation, better decision-making and, ultimately, more sustainable operations.
Instead of static charts, vessels will have access to layered, real-time and forecast information — tides, currents, warnings — integrated into a single view. This could be transformative for efficiency and safety.
Spotlight on S-104 and S-111
Among the six layers being trialled, two stand out for their operational impact (and because it’s some of what we do at Tidetech!):
These datasets turn environmental variables into actionable intelligence. This intelligence supports a variety of outcomes, including optimised departure times, speed optimisation in restricted navigation channels, fewer delays, better under keel clearance management, and lower fuel consumption (and therefore reduced emissions).
Industry collaboration and Tidetech’s role
The UKHO-Shom trials are a milestone for the industry. They show what’s possible when hydrographic offices, technology providers and end users work together.
At Tidetech, we support this broader movement. Our high-resolution English Channel and Solent models are being used in other S-100 evaluations. We’ve also created S-104 and S-111 datasets for trials in different regions, working alongside partners including UKHO and the Australian Hydrographic Office, and various ECDIS manufacturers.
What this demonstrates is that S-100 readiness isn’t a one-off event — it’s a global effort. Every dataset, every trial contributes to a shared goal — making navigation safer, smarter and more sustainable.
Looking ahead
The insights from these trials will feed directly into IHO standards and guidance, shaping how S-100 is implemented worldwide. For shipowners, pilots and ports, that means clarity on what to expect — and confidence that new systems will deliver real-world benefits.
As Thomas Mellor of UKHO put it, these trials are about ensuring products are “fit for purpose before wider release”. That’s good news for everyone who depends on the sea.
S-100 is coming. These trials show how we’re making progress, and how collaboration is critical to getting us the rest of the way.
Read the news of the trial via the UKHO here.