As the National Authority in the field of hydrography, we are responsible for the allocation of most financial, material and human resources for hydrographic surveys in the Black Sea and the production of nautical charts and nautical documents.

The reforming process through which Romania has been passing since 1990 has induced some budgetary restrictions for our institution. We have been obliged to adopt a technical development and personnel training programme extending over a longer period of time in order to be able to respond to IHO standards and new marine demands.

In the first stage, priority attention has been given to the Cartographic Branch, considering the need to upgrade chart production technology and diversify nautical documents. Though in the period 1996 - 2001 we had used both classical and modern technology for the production of nautical charts, such classical procedures were abandoned for good after one of our personnel had undergone training in the field of cartography at the International Maritime Academy at Trieste in Italy. Efforts towards transforming existing charts into digital format and S57 ENC were now intensified.

To attain this objective, the Cartographic Branch is using three workstations equipped with proper cartographic software, including post-processing of singlebeam files, suppress soundings, semi-automated conversion of raster data to digital vector map file and other useful cartographic tools to support production of paper charts and ENC.
Up until now, five ENCs have been finalised, including a cell corresponding to the INT 3820 paper chart (From Nos Kaliakra to the Danube Delta) which will be printed this year. Starting with the INT 3820 chart, a decision was taken to use ‘Computer to Plate’ technology to produce the plates, which will considerably improve the quality of the final paper charts.

In 2003 we plan to convert a further ten charts from the existing 26 charts in the Romanian portfolio for printing and ENC purposes. The intention of the Cartographic Branch is to increase the number of charts in the portfolio and design new charts at scales and limits not previously charted.

The second stage, to cover coming years, will include measures to develop the Hydrographic Branch by upgrading and purchasing new equipment as well as a new hydrographic vessel.

As future member of IHO, we look forward to developing the co-operation with other hydrographic organisations, especially for new joint surveys in the part of the Black Sea where our country has sovereignty rights. Continuing this improvement programme, we hope to move the accent onto checking and quality control procedures, to benefit mariners.