The National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) has announced plans to officially release three new nautical charts covering the approaches to Calabar, Jamestown, and the Port of Calabar on October 1, 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Nigeria's efforts to strengthen and expand its national nautical chart portfolio. The new charts aim to provide authoritative navigational information for Nigerian waters, enhancing safety and efficiency in maritime activities.
The new chart series comprises NG5514 – Approaches to Calabar, NG5515 – Jamestown, and NG4255 – Port of Calabar. These charts collectively provide updated navigational coverage from the approaches to Calabar through Jamestown and into the Port of Calabar limits. This will enable mariners to access current hydrographic information, supporting safe and efficient navigation along the important maritime corridor.
As part of the quality assurance process, the paper charts underwent technical assessment by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) to verify consistency with adjoining chart coverage. 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, which currently provide coverage of the Calabar area. To ensure continuity, NHA and UKHO will coordinate the transition, minimizing the possibility of any gap in chart availability to the maritime community.
Rear Admiral OO Fadahunsi, Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NHA, emphasized that the publication of these charts 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.
According to Fadahunsi, the Calabar maritime corridor is strategically important to commercial shipping and other maritime activities within Nigeria's eastern maritime domain. 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 of these charts forms part of NHA's broader programme 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 as new hydrographic and maritime safety information becomes available. The three new charts will be officially available to mariners from October 1, 2026.
Key points
- The National Hydrographic Agency will release three new nautical charts for Calabar, Jamestown, and Port of Calabar on October 1, 2026.
- The new charts have undergone technical assessment and validation to ensure they meet international standards.
- The release demonstrates Nigeria's growing capacity to survey, chart, and maintain its waterways to internationally recognized standards.
