What UK Hydrographic Office does

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is an executive agency of the UK Ministry of Defence operating as a self-funded trading fund, headquartered in Taunton, Somerset, and founded in 1795. It is the UK government's centre for hydrography and marine geospatial data, serving as the Primary Charting Authority for 63 coastal states. Through its Admiralty brand, it supplies official nautical charts, digital publications, and marine geospatial data to commercial shipping, defence forces (notably the Royal Navy and NATO), national hydrographic offices, ports, and marine research organisations. More than 90% of large ships trading internationally reportedly carry Admiralty products, and the organisation processes approximately 400 hydrographic surveys annually.

The core product suite spans digital and paper formats. Flagship digital offerings include the Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS), which delivers roughly 23,000 official Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) in S-63/S-57 formats compatible with type-approved ECDIS, the Admiralty Raster Chart Service (ARCS) with over 3,000 raster charts, and the shore-based AVCS Online. Supporting products include Admiralty Digital Publications (TotalTide, Digital List of Lights, Digital Radio Signals, e-Nautical Publications), Admiralty Digital Sailing Directions, over 3,500 Standard Nautical Charts, and defence-focused NATO-endorsed Additional Military Layers (AML). The UKHO is developing the next-generation IHO S-100 data framework (S-101/S-102/S-104/S-111) as a replacement for S-57, alongside digital twin ("Admiralty Virtual Ports") and celestial navigation software (NavPac) via subsidiary His Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office. It also offers developer access through APIs (AVCS Online Discovery WMS) and SDKs.

Revenue is generated through several streams: subscription and licensed sales of Admiralty products via a global network of Admiralty Distributors and Technical Solution Providers; professional services (training, consultancy, data collection); specialist government and defence services provided to the UK MoD and Royal Navy; and bespoke marine geospatial data services. Go-to-market combines channel-partner distribution, enterprise/government field sales, and heavy participation in maritime industry events. Pricing is quote-based through distributors, with subscription terms of 3–12 months for ENCs and tiered fleet/volume discounts for raster charts. As a trading fund, the UKHO operates commercially with no external shareholders, wholly owned by the UK government.

Name

UK Hydrographic Office

Legal name

UK Hydrographic Office

Website

https://admiralty.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1795

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

UK government executive agency (trading fund under the MoD) and centre for hydrography, supplying official Admiralty nautical charts, digital publications, and marine geospatial data to commercial shipping, defence forces, ports, and national hydrographic offices worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydrographic and Marine Geospatial Data

NAICS

Navigational Services to Shipping (488330), Navigational Services to Shipping (48833), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Nautical Safety, Navigation Aids & Hydrographic Services (TLAHAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS) (IMAJAJAE), Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM), Environmental Data Management Platforms (EHS/EMS, LIMS, ELN, Compliance Data Hubs) (EUAHAKAA)

Keywords

• Nautical chart services
• Marine geospatial data
• Hydrographic surveying
• Electronic navigational charts
• Maritime navigation data

Headquarters

HQ city

North Shields

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Admiralty Products Sales: Sale of nautical charts, digital publications, and navigational products through global distributor network. Includes AVCS (vector charts), ARCS (raster charts), Admiralty Digital Publications, and paper charts sold on subscription and individual license basis
2. Professional Services: Customizable knowledge-based services including training (hydrography, S-100 standards, chart compilation), consultancy, data collection, and SME representation for governments and businesses
3. Government/Defence Services: Specialist hydrographic services provided to UK Ministry of Defence as executive agency, Royal Navy, and other government departments. Includes Additional Military Layers and defence-specific products
4. Data Services: Bespoke marine geospatial data sets and data science services for non-navigational uses including coastal restoration, risk mitigation, voyage optimisation, and marine planning projects

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is a UK government executive agency and trading fund under the Ministry of Defence that provides authoritative marine geospatial data and Admiralty-branded navigational products worldwide. UKHO produces and sells official electronic and paper nautical charts (including the Admiralty Vector Chart Service with approximately 23,000 ENCs and the Admiralty Raster Chart Service with approximately 3,000 charts), the Admiralty Digital Publications suite for tides, lights, and radio signals, paper Standard Nautical Charts, defence-specific geospatial products such as Additional Military Layers, the next-generation S-100 data framework, and related professional services including training, consultancy, and hydrographic data collection.

Product overview

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) operates as an executive agency of the UK Ministry of Defence and supports safe, efficient, and compliant maritime navigation globally through its Admiralty portfolio. The Admiralty portfolio is a multi-format product suite encompassing both digital and paper-based navigational products and services. The core digital chart offering consists of the Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS) — the world's leading ENC service with ~23,000 official charts — complemented by the Admiralty Raster Chart Service (ARCS) with ~3,000 raster charts, and the shore-based AVCS Online. Supporting the charts are Admiralty Digital Publications (ADP): Admiralty TotalTide (tidal predictions for 7,000+ ports), Admiralty Digital List of Lights (90,000+ light structures), Admiralty Digital Radio Signals (radio communications for 4,000+ locations), Admiralty e-Nautical Publications (90 e-book nautical publications), and the geo-referenced Admiralty Digital Sailing Directions (ADSD). The paper chart range includes Admiralty Standard Nautical Charts (3,500+ charts), Admiralty Routeing Charts, Mariners' Routeing Guides, and Maritime Security Charts. Defence offerings include Additional Military Layers (AML) — NATO-endorsed geospatial products. The next-generation S-100 framework, with Phase 1 products S-101/S-102/S-104/S-111, is being developed and trialled as a replacement for S-57. The UKHO also provides NavPac and Compact Data (DP330) for celestial navigation, Admiralty Virtual Ports digital twin technology, HM Nautical Almanac Office publications, and Professional Services spanning training, consultancy, data collection, and data services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS): The world's leading official digital maritime chart service with around 23,000 official Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)
• Admiralty Raster Chart Service (ARCS)
• Admiralty Digital Publications (ADP)
• Admiralty e-Nautical Publications (AENP)
• Admiralty Digital Sailing Directions (ADSD)
• NavPac and Compact Data
• Additional Military Layers (AML)

Products and services

• Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS) Subscription-based global service delivering approximately 23,000 official Electronic Navigational Charts (S-57/S-63) covering the world's busiest international shipping routes and ports, providing SOLAS-compliant navigation data to commercial shipping operators.
• AVCS Online Shore-based web service that allows shore-side users to view the same official ENC data carried on board vessels, enabling shore-based fleet managers, operators, and voyage planners to view and use up-to-date electronic charts for planning and decision support.
• Admiralty Raster Chart Service (ARCS) Subscription-based service providing paper-chart-equivalent digital raster images (S-61) of approximately 3,000 Admiralty charts, used for back-up navigation on vessels where ECDIS may not be available or as primary navigation in some bridge configurations.
• Admiralty Digital Publications (ADP) Suite of official digital nautical publications including Admiralty TotalTide, Admiralty Digital Radio Signals, Admiralty Digital List of Lights, and Admiralty e-Nautical Publications, providing official digital information for passage planning and bridge navigation.
• Admiralty TotalTide (ATT) Digital tidal prediction software providing fast, accurate tidal height and tidal stream data for more than 7,500 ports and 3,000 tidal streams worldwide for bridge crews and voyage planners.
• Admiralty Digital List of Lights (ADLL) Digital reference containing official information on lights, fog signals, and other aids to navigation from over 85,000 records worldwide, used in passage planning and bridge navigation.
• Admiralty Digital Radio Signals (ADRS) Digital reference publication providing official maritime radio communications information for stations worldwide, used for passage planning, GMDSS compliance, and bridge operations.
• Admiralty e-Nautical Publications (AENPs) Digital versions of official Admiralty Sailing Directions and other nautical publications, providing passage planning information, port regulations, and navigational guidance in a searchable digital format.
• Admiralty Digital Sailing Directions (ADSD) Digital Sailing Directions product providing official passage planning information in a fully digital format, launched in 2026 as a new addition to the Admiralty digital publications portfolio.
• Admiralty Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) Official paper nautical charts produced to international standards, providing the most up-to-date official paper chart coverage for primary navigation use and SOLAS compliance on board vessels.
• Admiralty Mariners' Routeing Guides Paper planning charts providing recommended trans-oceanic routes and supporting notes to assist in ocean voyage planning, designed to complement Standard Nautical Charts.
• NavPac and Compact Data (DP330) Digital celestial navigation software providing on-board sight reduction tables and astronomical data, plus a compact data set (DP330) of magnetic variation, tide predictions, and celestial navigation data for mariners.
• S-100 Data Framework Products Next-generation suite of hydrographic data products built on the IHO S-100 universal hydrographic data model, including S-101 ENCs and other S-100 layer products to replace and extend legacy S-57 ENCs.
• Additional Military Layers (AML) Defence-specific marine geospatial data product portfolio providing high-resolution, controlled bathymetric, environmental, and operational data layers for naval and military customers including the Royal Navy and allied navies.
• Admiralty Virtual Ports Digital twin-based port visualisation product that provides a 3D, real-time port visualisation to support safe and efficient navigation of larger vessels in congested and confined waterways.
• UKHO Professional Services Range of professional services including hydrographic survey and data collection, hydrographic training, capacity building, and consultancy, leveraging UKHO's hydrographic expertise for governments and commercial customers.
• Admiralty Routeing Charts Paper planning charts showing the principal trade routes across the world's busiest international waters, used in voyage planning and supporting SOLAS-compliant passage planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of large ships trading internationally carry Admiralty products on board
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Carnival Corporation (CSMART)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Bridge simulator tests evaluating IHO S-100 navigational data in collaboration with international hydrographic offices and maritime industry partners at ports in the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, and United Kingdom. Trials tested S-100 data in confined-water environments using Wärtsilä simulators and ECDIS systems from Teledyne and OSI Maritime Systems.
• WärtsilämajorTechnology or Integration · 20 April 2026Simulator provider for CSMART S-100 test bed trials evaluating navigational data in confined-water environments. Provided bridge simulators for realistic navigation scenario testing.
• TeledynemajorTechnology or Integration · 20 April 2026ECDIS system provider for CSMART S-100 test bed trials. Provided ECDIS systems for evaluating IHO S-100 navigational data framework performance.
• OSI Maritime SystemsmajorTechnology or Integration · 20 April 2026ECDIS system provider and webinar contributor for S-100 testing. Provided systems for bridge simulator trials evaluating S-100 data standards.
• NorthStandardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Collaboration on S-100 simulator trials and ECDIS training research. New data from NorthStandard highlights where bridge teams are confident with ECDIS and areas where understanding can be strengthened.
• Minerva MarinemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Ship operator participating in S-100 simulator trials in Athens, Greece. Bridge teams tested next-generation S-100 data in realistic navigation scenarios.
• Angelicoussis GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Ship operator participating in S-100 simulator trials in Athens, Greece. Provided insights from tanker, LNG and bulk fleet bridge teams on S-100 performance.
• ECDIS LtdmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2026S-100 data introduced into live training environment at ECDIS Ltd simulator facilities to explore how next-generation hydrographic data performs in realistic navigation scenarios.
• Shom (French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2025International S-100 sea trials programme partnership representing the most comprehensive test of S-100 data standards to date, forming part of the IHO coordinated test bed framework. Joint programme tests S-100 data standards with real-world sea trials.
• SaildronemajorTechnology or Integration · 3 December 2025Completed first autonomous mapping mission of Cayman Islands' EEZ, surveying approximately 90,000 square kilometers of seabed. High-resolution bathymetric data processed by UKHO enables maritime safety, sustainable fisheries, offshore energy planning, and seabed mining support.
• Marine AIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2025Research programme to enable autonomous ships to interpret official navigational data in natural language for safe, real-time decision-making. Eight-month project focusing on retraining a large language model to process maritime navigation warnings and directions.
• International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2025UKHO works under IHO coordinated test bed framework for S-100 standards development. Participation in official IHO Test Bed and Sea Trial programme for testing S-100 data framework internationally.
• UK Centre for Seabed Mapping (UK CSM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022UK CSM is administered by UKHO and enables UK public sector organisations involved in seabed mapping to coordinate collection, management and access of publicly funded marine geospatial data. UK Government invests in over 30 public sector organisations to collect and use seabed mapping data.
• Maritime and Port Authority of SingaporemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr Parry Oei, Advisor (Hydrography) at MPA Singapore, joined UKHO experts at Sea Asia panel to explore how S-100 data framework could support safer navigation, improve efficiencies and contribute to decarbonisation.
• NATOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUKHO coordinates NATO Additional Military Layers (AML) programme providing tactical advantage through geospatial intelligence. AML endorsed by NATO for military and humanitarian operations.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Norwegian Mapping Authority (Kartverket) / Norwegian Hydrographic Service: Norwegian national hydrographic service producing ENCs and nautical publications. Direct peer: equivalent national-charting authority role with comparable scale and a parallel push into S-100 and bathymetric data services.
• Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS): Canadian federal hydrographic office producing ENCs, paper charts, and S-100 products. Direct peer: serves as Primary Charting Authority for Canadian waters, mirrors UKHO's regulatory SOLAS-compliance role and distribution model.
• Australian Hydrographic Service (AHS): Australian Defence Force-run hydrographic office producing official ENCs and paper charts. Direct peer: same Primary Charting Authority / SOLAS-compliant chart mandate and participation in IHO's S-100 standardisation work.
• Shom (Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine): France's national hydrographic and oceanographic service. Direct peer: produces official ENCs and nautical charts, acts as Primary Charting Authority for foreign coastal states, and is co-developing S-100 sea trials with UKHO under the IHO framework.
• NOAA Office of Coast Survey: US national hydrographic office producing ENCs, raster charts, and nautical publications. Direct peer: performs the same primary charting authority, ENC production, and SOLAS-compliant chart distribution as UKHO, including parallel investment in S-100 next-generation standards.

Broad incumbents

• Fugro: Dutch-listed offshore survey and geospatial services company. Broader incumbent: while private and commercial, Fugro performs the hydrographic surveys that feed UKHO and competing chart authorities, and sells integrated seabed-data products, putting it in the same maritime geospatial value chain.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian maritime technology group with ECDIS, navigation, and hydrographic systems. Broad incumbent: complements UKHO's data with bridge-side navigation systems; competes indirectly for share of the navigation technology stack.
• Wärtsilä (Voyage / Transas): Finnish maritime technology group whose Transas unit provides ECDIS and bridge systems. Broad incumbent: provides the ECDIS platforms that consume Admiralty chart data, including simulators used in UKHO's S-100 trial programme.

Emerging players

• IIC Technologies: Private hydrographic and marine geospatial services company providing chart production, survey, and digital publishing services to governments and hydrographic offices globally. Emerging player: niche competitor in outsourced chart compilation and S-100 migration services for national hydrographic offices.
• Teledyne Technologies (Marine / CARIS): Teledyne's marine business includes hydrographic survey tools and ECDIS systems used in UKHO's S-100 trials. Emerging player: competes upstream in survey equipment and downstream in ECDIS, with growing presence in S-100 data services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AdmiraltyTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/ADMIRALTYOnline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/86670/admin
• Xx.com/admiraltyonline

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UK Hydrographic Office