To face this rapidly changing trend, the National Oceanographic Research Institute (NORI) has invested a substantial budget in hydrographic survey, chart production and oceanographic observation for the conversion to a digital era. Firstly, since we have started to develop electronic navigational charts (ENCs) in 1995, we have produced and distributed 209 ENCs covering Korean waters. ENCs for small fishing vessels and various thematic maps are also under study.

NORI has launched the Marine Information System as a part of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure to establish a marine framework of datasets. Although to date we have collected and managed data according to its type, NORI will set up a project team in order for the various data collected in the ocean to be produced and managed on a regular format under the framework of a national geographic information system so that various users can share a wide variety of data.

In the use of the multibeam system rather than the single-beam system, more precise hydrographic data can be collected. With the enhancement of the quality of satellite imagery, which can be continuously updated, the usage of this source is increasing day by day. NORI has used the depths and coastlines extracted from the images in the shallow area where such data can not be obtained using vessels. However, we are now studying the deployment of aircraft to conduct continuously vital coastline surveys.

In the area of oceanographic observation, a digital revolution has taken place and various data such as marine physics, geology, biology, and environment are collected through state-of-the-art equipment like Argos buoys. Regarding the provision of data, the hard copies used for several centuries have been replaced by digital-type products and the data is also provided through the Internet. Tidal information required by users for various maritime activities along the coast have been provided through the Internet. With the development of wireless telecommunication techniques, like cellular phones, users’ access to oceanographic information has been made more easier than in the past.

As stated above, NORI has made every endeavour to provide data and information to users using more convenient methods through digitisation of conventional works like chart production, hydrographic survey and oceanographic observation.