IHO S-100 Sea Trial Areas
In preparation for the operational implementation of S-100, several IHO Member States and Industry Stakeholders have undertaken sea trials and testbeds, labelled as "IHO S-100 Sea Trial Areas", to evaluate the effectiveness and operational readiness of the new standard. These trials allow mariners to experience S-100 products and services under real-world operating conditions, providing structured feedback that informs continued development and highlights achievements to date. The following presents a selection of results obtained thus far:
Member States and Industry Stakeholders wishing to have their own S-100 testbed initiative or project recognized and labelled as an "IHO S-100 Sea Trial Area" are invited to submit their request here.
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St. Lawrence River, Québec, Canada (CHS)
Canada hosted the S-100 Sea Trials on the St. Lawrence River from June 1st to November 30th, 2025. This was an opportunity for the hydrographic and maritime community to experience the innovation and power of the full S-100 Phase 1 package of hydrographic products and services.
Find the full report here.
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Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia (AHO)
Australia conducted a S‑100 Testbed on the Torres Strait to evaluate the operational use of core S‑100 Phase I products (S‑101, S‑102, S‑104, S‑111, S‑124 and S-129) in a high‑complexity, environmentally sensitive and pilotage‑controlled waterway.
Find the preliminary report here.
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S-100 Accross the Channel, ECDIS Trials, United Kingdom & France
United Kingdom and France are collaborating on a joint project to test and evaluate S-100 ECDIS on a selected route between Portsmouth in the UK, transiting the Channel Islands and onwards through to St Malo in France. Project aims, gather evidence for S -100 ECDIS risk assessment to build the safety case to support IMO introduction of the S -100 ECDIS by testing and trialing S-100 data in ECDIS terminals to demonstrate the benefits of S-100.
Find more information here.
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CSMART Project, Carnival Corporation Ltd.
The S-100 simulator test bed in confined waters is a collaborative initiative led by CSMART, Carnival Corporation Simulation Centre, inpartnership with Port of Rotterdam and multiple hydrographic offices, and maritime technology providers. The test bed aims to evaluate the operational benefits of S-100-based products in confined waters by utilising high fidelity bridgesimulators. The simulations scenario will focus on complex port environments such as Napier (NZ), Melbourne (AU), Rotterdam (NL), andSouthampton (UK). The initiative is supported by the Australian, Dutch, New Zealand, and United Kingdom Hydrographic Offices, with active participationfrom pilots, port authorities, and maritime solution providers.
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Tory Channel TestBed, Marlbourough Sounds, New Zealand (LINZ)
New Zealand performed an S-100 testbed in the Tory Channel, an area known for strong currents and challenging seafloor conditions. The purpose of the testbed was to evaluate how S-101 ENCs, S-102 Bathymetric Surface, S-104 Water Level Information and S-111 Surface Currents perform compared to traditional S-57 ENCs in supporting navigational decision-making and situational awareness.
Find more information here.
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