ECDIS Procedures Guide, 2025-2026 Edition - Volumes 1-6

The 2025-2026 Edition has been fully revised and expanded, integrating all six volumes of the ECDIS Navigation series into one unified reference. Designed to meet the daily needs of Masters and ECDIS operators, this edition offers up-to-date procedures, operational insights and proven solutions for staying compliant and safe at sea. Drawing from over 5,000 inspection results and recent navigational incident reviews, the Guide reflects real-world challenges and introduces targeted tools to address them.

Volumes 1-3 are presented in a slipcase for onboard use, while Volumes 4-6 are available online.

Volume 1 - ECDIS Procedures Guide delivers the latest onboard best practices for ensuring compliance with PSC inspections, SMS and ISM requirements, and documentation standards. It addresses current software and hardware issues, sensor vulnerabilities and manufacturer-specific configurations. This volume now includes a comprehensive set of emergency flow diagrams, quick-access checklists and a newly added comparative table of leading manufacturer capabilities, aiding ship operators in supplier selection and fleet standardisation.

Volume 2 - ENC Charting Guide, Issues and Solutions provides a practical analysis of the recurring charting issues encountered at sea. It explores challenges such as CATZOC reliability, ENC scale mismatches, global vertical datum discrepancies and the use of emerging data sources such as ePNMs. Enhanced with visual tutorials, regional risk maps and relevant case studies, this volume helps operators understand and mitigate real-world risks while ensuring charting compliance across all navigation areas.

Volume 3 - ECDIS Passage Planning and Monitoring Guide reflects the rapid evolution in route planning technology, with coverage of reference routes, green shipping corridors and maritime security transit lanes. It also addresses the growing importance of COLREGs-integrated planning tools and the shift toward automatic passage planning seen in newer software generations. Practical guidance is provided for operations in DR/EP mode due to rising GNSS interference, including recommended procedures for inclusion in the ship's SMS.

Volume 4 - Manufacturer's Familiarisation Guide - Type Specific has been redesigned to streamline onboard training. Previously growing in complexity due to expanding ECDIS functionality, the new familiarisation cards are now more manageable, focused on core operations and aligned with ISM requirements. Based on input from ship managers, operators and seafarers, key features such as CCRP configuration, alarm management, AIO usage, sensor setup and logs/playback have been retained or added to reflect the most critical functions needed at sea and during inspection.

Volume 5 - Manufacturer's Quick Reference Guide - Type Specific features revised and expanded step-by-step reference cards tailored to the real-time needs of ECDIS operators. Reordered for better usability at sea, these guides now include procedures for chart permits, manual position updates, new route monitoring layouts, MOB/SAR functions and playback/exporting tools. Developed through workshops and operator feedback, these quick reference tools are designed to close common knowledge gaps and reduce inspection failures.

Volume 6 - ECDIS Continual Professional Development (CPD) Guide has been significantly expanded to support both internal ISM training and Master/OOW certificate preparation. It includes updated exam-style questions, self-tests and knowledge checks across topics such as chart symbology and safe navigation principles. A refreshed pre-PSC section provides structured activities for bridge teams, while a dedicated chapter for ECDIS experts offers advanced troubleshooting tests and fleetwide training resources for competency assurance.

Together these six volumes form the most complete and practical ECDIS resource available, equipping bridge teams with the tools and knowledge to navigate safely.

Foreword to Volume 1

Since 1995, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as the global maritime regulatory body has been providing the minimum performance standards for Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), including provisions for navigational systems and equipment carried on board ships. Initially, ECDIS was considered as a means of meeting paper chart carriage requirements, and later in 2011, became a mandatory carriage requirement for SOLAS ships with a phased-in implementation, recognising the benefits of ECDIS for navigation.

In addition, ECDIS training and competency requirements for seafarers were introduced into the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code, which entered into force on 1st January 2012. A model course on the operational use of ECDIS used by training institutions to develop their approved training was also developed. These developments in ECDIS technology, training and procedures have delivered towards IMO's mission in the field of safety of navigation, set at a global scale. IMO continues to take the lead in bridging the gap between technology and safety and security concerns, in order to achieve the right balance. In this context, the role of the human element is paramount to support and monitor technology and to ensure that ECDIS continues to serve its purpose, ie enhance the safety of navigation.

Emphasising the inherent and unique role of the IMO in the development of ECDIS international provisions, it is encouraging to see that the industry is taking the lead to proactively provide guidance to ECDIS users. These initiatives complement the efforts made by the IMO to ensure the effective implementation of its provisions, including ECDIS - Guidance for Good Practice (MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.2), the latest version of which was issued in 2022.

Foreword supplied by the International Maritime Organization

Foreword to Volume 2

The International Hydrographic Organization's (IHO) and The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) technical standardisation builds the foundation for the uniformity of digital navigation devices on ships on international voyages under any flag. ECDIS - as the all integrating device of digital navigation information - was based on this concept approach from the start in 1986 when the IMO/IHO Joint Harmonization Group was laying the regulatory foundations for ECDIS - long before the required hardware and software was available.

Since then, the applicable standards of both intergovernmental organisations have undergone several iterations to reflect technical progress and changed users demands.

According to IMO's overarching paradigm for navigation equipment, IMO Resolution Performance Standards for ECDIS defines minimum requirements on functionality and performance. However, the added value of the modern ECDIS comes more and more from additional functionality within the chart. For example, seafarers require real water level application based on tides and currents predictions, dense bathymetry and electronic sailing directions embedded in a way that content can be associated automatically to the navigation plan. The S-100 framework for the standardisation of all the marine information related data services address this functionality. IHO S-52 version 4.0 ruling the visual presentation of chart content has now safely been adopted by all vessels, and S-101 ENCs will eventually replace S-57 ENCs. This allows the IHO to lead in enhancing the way ships navigate under a digital shield and to make shipping safer and more efficient.

Although the standards have been revised, the art of navigation has evolved. There is now evidence that ECDIS has reduced the number of grounding incidents, compared to that of paper ships, but there are always improvements to be made. Dense traffic in congested waters, ever growing ship size and draught and on time delivery at the port of call cannot be managed without all embracing digital navigation support. The IHO continues to lead in developing value, adding interoperable layers of the ENC to enhance ECDIS with the prospect of having artificial intelligence (AI) helping the mariner one day. In the interim, IHO members make a concerted effort to provide additional content as regular data services in a safe, consistent and reliable manner.

I wish this publication every success to educate the reader about the general concepts of ECDIS and the details need to be known for proper use.

Mathias Jonas
Secretary-General
International Hydrographic Organization

Foreword to Volume 3

In 2025, a significant milestone occurred in the evolution of ECDIS as IHO Member States adopted operational standards within the S-100 framework. To put this in perspective, the current standard of S-57 ENC Charts was first adopted in 1995, 30 years ago.

Pre-1995, a 'chart' was a physical item which was used in conjunction with other charts to visually construct a plan. Positions, confirmed by either visual, celestial or radar means (or a combination of the three), were plotted directly onto the chart which identified where the ship was and where it needed to go.

In 2025, on many ships, charts are now electronic (ECDIS). These digital systems can create passage plans and decide where it is safe to navigate. ECDIS can also inform the user of the most optimum speed and route to take for fuel efficiency for that voyage. ECDIS can cross check its positional reliability with other sources, usually by comparing GNSS positional data. Typically, the Master and/or OOWs would be alerted to any discrepancies in positional data or other sensor feedbacks.

In some systems, ECDIS is also linked to the autopilot and has a 'track control function', which, depending on the manufacturer, may allow the ECDIS to look ahead for dangers and automatically alter the ship's course to avoid them. Manoeuvres carried out by the ECDIS must be in accordance with the COLREGs.

For those who say the maritime industry is slow to evolve, this is a dramatic 30-year transformation.

There are many still at sea, who like me, conducted their ECDIS training on ARCS charts pre-S-57 adoption. Unfortunately, the mandated IMO 1.27 Generic training syllabus is unable to reflect the constant changes to ECDIS software and its capabilities, and it does not support those trained historically in ECDIS. There is no doubt that ECDIS has reduced navigation incidents at sea, although to maintain this safety curve there now requires an even greater understanding of how ECDIS works.

Even the best, most advanced, modern ECDIS is only as good as the knowledge of the ECDIS operator who configures it.

Debbie Hull
Managing Director
ECDIS Ltd

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ECDIS Ltd

ECDIS Ltd provide ECDIS training for over 200 international shipping companies and are the authors of multiple ECDIS publications including The ECDIS Manual, as well as the IMO 1.27 ECDIS model course.