UKHO, ESA Support Commercial Engagement With S-100 Hydrographic Data

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is partnering with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) to support companies developing commercial services combining S-100 universal hydrographic data with satellite Earth observation, communications or navigation information. 

The S-100 Universal Hydrographic Model Thematic Campaign seeks to engage companies through ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) and help turn their concepts into scalable, commercially sustainable services. The campaign will provide relevant S-100 data licenses free of charge, helping companies develop services that address real maritime customer and operational needs.  

S-100 was designed from the outset to support interoperability between different domains, providing a common framework for different types of hydrographic and maritime information. While its introduction is transforming navigation, its potential applications extend further. Combining S-100 data with satellite Earth observation, communications or navigation information creates opportunities to develop services for use beyond traditional navigational products for use on board vessels, in ports and ashore.  

Space-enabled supporting capabilities could include: 

• Earth observation: Providing environmental information across wide areas, with repeat observations to complement hydrographic surveys and other data sources.

• Satellite communications: Supporting the delivery of information between ships and shore, including beyond terrestrial network coverage.

• Satellite positioning, navigation and timing: Providing location and time references to support accurate geo-referencing. 

Potential applications include safer navigation, more efficient vessel and port operations, environmental monitoring, maritime security and automated systems. Companies are also encouraged to propose other uses.  

As the maritime industry prepares for S-100 capability to become mandatory for new ECDIS installations from 2029, the campaign also offers companies a valuable opportunity to develop, pilot and validate commercially viable space-enabled services for early-adopter maritime customers.  

Since 2010, BASS has helped companies deliver space-based services and products through more than 1,000 studies and 750 projects. Now part of ESA’s ACCESS program, its core aim is to accelerate the development of innovative ideas into commercially viable, market-ready space-based services and applications that deliver measurable social and economic benefits.