The National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) of Nigeria has announced that it will officially release three new nautical charts on October 1. These charts cover the approaches to Calabar, Jamestown, and the Port of Calabar. The new chart series includes NG5514 – Approaches to Calabar, NG5515 – Jamestown, and NG4255 – Port of Calabar. This development is a significant milestone in Nigeria's efforts to strengthen and expand its national nautical chart portfolio.
The new charts will provide updated navigational coverage from the approaches to Calabar through Jamestown and into the Port of Calabar limits. According to the NHA, the charts will provide mariners with current hydrographic information to support safe and efficient navigation along the important maritime corridor. The agency emphasized that the Calabar maritime corridor is strategically important to commercial shipping and other maritime activities within Nigeria's eastern maritime domain.
The paper charts have undergone technical assessment by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) to verify consistency with adjoining chart coverage. This is part of the quality assurance process preceding the release of the charts. The corresponding Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) were also independently validated by the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts (IC-ENC). These processes ensure that the products meet the applicable technical and navigational requirements for their intended operational use.
The release of the NHA charts will coincide with the planned withdrawal of UKHO Admiralty Charts 3433 and 3434. These charts currently provide coverage of the Calabar area. The NHA and UKHO will coordinate the transition to support continuity of authoritative navigational coverage and minimize the possibility of any gap in chart availability to the maritime community.
The availability of updated paper charts and ENCs will enhance safety of navigation, support efficient vessel operations, and strengthen other maritime activities within the area. The release is part of the NHA's broader program to progressively expand and modernize Nigeria's national nautical chart portfolio. The agency will continue to conduct hydrographic surveys, produce new paper charts and ENCs, and maintain existing products through regular updates.
The Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NHA, Rear Adm. Olumide Fadahunsi, noted that the charts' publication represents more than the release of new navigational products. It demonstrates Nigeria's growing capacity to survey, chart, and maintain its waterways to internationally recognized standards. The NHA's priority is to ensure that mariners operating within Nigerian waters have access to accurate, current, and authoritative information required for safe and efficient navigation.
The National Hydrographic Agency's efforts to expand and modernize Nigeria's national nautical chart portfolio are ongoing. The agency will continue to conduct hydrographic surveys and produce new charts to support safe and efficient navigation within Nigerian waters. The release of the new charts is a significant step towards achieving this goal and demonstrates Nigeria's commitment to improving maritime safety and navigation.
Key points
- The National Hydrographic Agency will release three new nautical charts covering the approaches to Calabar, Jamestown, and the Port of Calabar on October 1.
- The charts have undergone technical assessment by the UKHO and validation by IC-ENC to ensure they meet technical and navigational requirements.
- The release of the new charts will enhance safety of navigation, support efficient vessel operations, and strengthen maritime activities within the Calabar area.
