Conference on S-100 and Digital Maritime Navigation in Copenhagen

From left to right: Nadine Karell, Jenny Kronberg, Niilo Nurminen and Ahmed Elhadi.

On 3 December 2025, we, Project and Financial Specialist Jenny Kronberg, Project Manager Ahmed Elhadi, Project Researcher Niilo Nurminen and RDI Communications Officer Nadine Karell, participated in a regional conference in Copenhagen focusing on the transition to the S-100 framework and the future of digital maritime navigation and information services.

The conference brought together 69 experts and stakeholders from across the Baltic Sea region and clearly demonstrated that the maritime sector is entering a new digital era. After centuries of reliance on paper charts and later S-57-based electronic navigation, the transition toward S-100 is now accelerating, enabling more advanced and integrated sharing of navigational and maritime information.

S57 was adopted in 1992 (Weak Source: S-57 to S-101: Explaining the IHO standards for ECDIS). The latest version of S-57 (Edition 3.1) came into force in November 2000 (Strong source: S-57 Standards in Force | IHO).

Interesting discussions were held throughout the seminar. They mostly revolved around the different areas of interest within e-navigation such as technology adoption, standardization and cybersecurity. What's interesting for us was the operational discussions for instance risks of over-reliance on technology, combined uncertainty of data, and overall effects on the safety of navigation.

Project Presentations and Regional Collaboration

During the conference, results and experiences from the MaDaMe, ORMOBASS and Baltic Sea e-Nav projects were presented. All three projects aim to improve safety and efficiency in maritime navigation through digital services and are co-funded by Interreg Baltic Sea Region. Novia UAS is a partner in the MaDaMe project, which focuses on developing, piloting and evaluating new digital information-sharing and messaging services for fairway navigation.

The Baltic Sea e-Nav project, led by SMA (Swedish Maritime Administration), is developing a package of digital navigational hydrographic services and products such as S-101 ENCs (Electronic Navigational Chart) and S-102 Bathymetric Surface information. In parallel, DLR (German Aerospace Center), the leader of the ORMOBASS project, works with partners towards increasing the resilience of maritime transport by introducing the R-Mode system, which replaces GNSS in case of disruptions or deceptions.

Project Manager Tero Jokela from Turku University of Applied Sciences provided an update on the MaDaMe project, noting that the project is approximately two-thirds complete. While pilot activities are still ongoing, the next phase will focus on sharing results. He emphasized the importance of close collaboration between the three projects, as they operate in similar service areas and benefit from continuous exchange of information through joint seminars. S-100 Pilot Services and National Implementations.

One of the key sessions focused on Finland’s pilots for the S-212 VTS Traffic Clearance Service (TCS), presented by Project Manager Sirpa Kannos from Fintraffic VTS. She explained that, unlike many other S-100 services that primarily involve information transfer from shore to ship, TCS requires bidirectional communication between vessels and VTS centres. The pilots were conducted in two phases, beginning with simulator testing followed by onboard testing on a Finnlines vessel. The technical performance met expectations, and user feedback highlighted improved clarity, reduced misunderstandings and the benefits of receiving written digital information.

At the same time, several challenges were identified, including digital message acknowledgement practices, the impact of digital interaction on bridge work processes and the need to ensure that vessels without digital capabilities remain informed. The long transition period during which voice and digital communication will operate in parallel was also recognized as a potential safety concern requiring careful planning.

Denmark’s contribution to S-124 Maritime Safety Information was presented by Christopher Saarnak, Chief Adviser for e-Navigation at the Danish Emergency Management Agency. He outlined plans to deliver the S-124 service for navigational warnings in 2026 and described how Denmark is following international recommendations and timelines while ensuring thorough testing ahead of implementation. The work includes enhancements to the NIORD system and integration with the emerging Maritime Connectivity Platform infrastructure.

NIORD (Nautical Information Directory) is a system which produces, promulgates, and manages navigational warnings, and notice to mariners (NM T&P) in Denmark.

Technical Demonstrations

The Maritime Connectivity Platform (MCP) was another central topic throughout the conference. Thomas Christensen, CEO of Digital Maritime Consultancy, presented the background and development status of MCP, describing its three main components: the Maritime Identity Registry, the Maritime Service Registry and the Maritime Messaging Service. He highlighted the importance of international coordination and standardization for successful adoption.

In the afternoon, several technical sessions and live demonstrations were held. These showcased the implementation of the VTS Traffic Clearance Service, the delivery of S-124 navigational warnings and the interoperability of S-124 and S-125 services.

Interoperability demonstration by Ahmed Elhadi in the seminar.

Novia UAS representatives Ahmed Elhadi and Niilo Nurminen took part in the final interoperability demonstration together with partners from Finland and Denmark. The session included two parts. The first part showcased an end-to-end service where S-124 NW datasets were created by FTIA (Finnish Transport and Infrastructure Agency) and DEMA (Danish Emergency Management Agency). These NWs were then received and visualized successfully on Novia S-100 ECS (Electronic Chart Software).

Niilo Nurminen setting up Novia ECS for the demonstration.

The second demonstration featured an interoperability example showing the S-124 NW symbols and S-125 AtoN symbols on an electronic chart within the same client system, the Novia S-100 ECS. The demonstration was well received and showed promising results for further development.

Outcomes for Novia UAS

The trip fulfilled its intended purpose. The planned demos and support activities were completed successfully, and the project was presented to a surprisingly large audience. The main objective was to demonstrate the S-100 ECS capabilities and provide technical support for Fintraffic’s demo. Both were completed as planned, so the objective was fully achieved.

We were able to watch promising demos of the products and services in the scope of e-navigation. It was also aspiring to hear different stakeholders’ perceptions on the risks, benefits, challenges, and readiness of, and for e-navigation.

Our general understanding of the industry-wide dynamics and technology adoption concepts improved. This is not a one-time piece of knowledge but rather an ongoing process of learning, analyzing, and concluding.

The objective of the trip was achieved. The aim on the project level was to arrange a rich, informative seminar to disseminate our project results, and build interest for the final seminar in Turku in September 2026. We hope the event sparks interest and adds value to the participants and the industry overall. The aim on Novia level is to increase our publicity, present our work and findings, and to strengthen our position and visibility as an emerging player in the e-navigation sector.

The conference gathered representatives from maritime authorities, shipping companies, research institutions and project partners, demonstrating strong regional coordination and a shared ambition across the Baltic Sea region. For Novia UAS, the visit provided valuable insights into the ongoing transition to S-100, strengthened international collaboration and reinforced the importance of joint testing, aligned development and cross-border cooperation in advancing digital maritime navigation.

From left to right: Nadine Karell, Ahmed Elhadi, Niilo Nurminen and Jenny Kronberg the evening before the conference, in Copenhagen 2 December 2025.

A news article about the seminar was published on the Interreg Baltic Sea Region, MaDaMe home page.

Reseskildringen har godkänts för publicering av Novias redaktionsråd 17.3.2026.

ISSN: 2670-028X