World Hydrography Day 2026 IHO and UKHO celebrate
International Hydrographic Organization
The theme for IHO’s World Hydrography Day 2026, Transforming How Ocean Data Is Shared recognized the growing importance of digital technologies and data interoperability in the maritime and ocean sectors.
To mark this year’s celebration, the IHO released a new video showcasing how the S-100 framework is transforming the way ocean data is gathered, shared, and used across the global ocean community.
As ocean activities continue to expand, access to reliable and up-to-date information is becoming increasingly important. Safe navigation, scientific research, offshore energy, environmental protection, coastal management, and maritime transport all depend on data. Yet despite significant advances in technology, much of this information remains fragmented across different systems, formats, and sectors, making it difficult to combine and use effectively.
The IHO’s S-100 framework addresses this challenge by enabling different types of ocean and maritime data to work together seamlessly. By bringing information from multiple sources into a single digital ecosystem, S-100 supports the delivery of more integrated and timely data to users.
The framework enables the sharing of a wide range of information, including water depths, seafloor features, currents, water levels, navigational warnings, and other critical data. It also supports the delivery of near real-time information, improving safety, efficiency, and decision-making.
The benefits extend beyond navigation. Access to up-to-date information on ocean conditions can help vessels optimize routes, reducing fuel consumption and emissions while improving operational efficiency. At the same time, S-100 is creating new opportunities for data sharing across a broad range of ocean activities.
This growing ecosystem is being supported by collaboration across the international community. Organizations such as IALA, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) are developing additional standards within the S-100 framework.
These standards will support the sharing of information on marine weather, waves, sea ice, marine protected areas, and other important ocean data.
By enabling information from many different sources to be combined into a single, dynamic picture of the marine environment, S-100 is helping to create a more connected ocean information ecosystem.
In the words of IHO Director Dr John Nyberg: ‘The sky is the limit when it comes to the types of data that S-100 could eventually support.
‘We envision a future where S-100 could help strengthen environmental monitoring by integrating data on marine protected areas with oceanographic information such as salinity, acidity, temperature, and other key indicators. The result would be a more complete understanding of our oceans.’
As the maritime and ocean sectors continue their digital transformation, S-100 is laying the foundation for safer navigation, more efficient operations, improved environmental stewardship, and better-informed decision-making across the entire ocean community.
An introductory You Tube video by IHO to S-100 (duration 2:55) is available using this link:
S-100: The UK perspective
On 14th July 2026, the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) hosted a webinar to celebrate World Hydrography Day 2026.
This webinar explored the International Hydrographic Organization’s (IHO) theme of Transforming how ocean data is shared through a UK lens.
The session brought together regulatory, operational and technical voices from across the UK maritime sector to discuss the transition to S‑100.
Coverage
Experts on the panel covered topics including regulatory compliance, seafarer training and S-100 sea trials, as well as the opportunities to improve data exchange.
One topic considered was the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) view on the S‑100 data standard – What the transition to S‑100 means from a UK regulatory and compliance perspective
Another was why S-100 trials are identifying the importance of seafarer training – and how familiarisation is key to unlocking the benefits S-100 has to offer in a real-world environments
Opportunities beyond ECDIS timelines were presented particularly as how some of the benefits of S‑100 can be realised now, independent of ECDIS rollout timelines
One of the presenters was Phil Day, Director of Operations of the Northern Lighthouse Board. He is also Chair of the IALA Policy Advisory Panel and a former Chair of the IALA Aids to Navigation Requirements and Management (ARM) Committee and brought extensive international experience in navigational safety and maritime standards.
To listen
Hosted by Tom Richardson, Head of International Bodies & Technical Engagement at the UKHO, a recording of the webinar is available here:
https://www.admiralty.co.uk/world-hydrography-day-2026
Text based on material kindly made available by the media services of WHO and UKHO.
IALA e-Bulletin Rapporteur: Paul Ridgway.