UKHO Extends Licensing Agreement With JHA
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has a long standing and deeply mutual respectful relationship with the Japan Hydrographic Association (JHA) and has now developed its licensing agreement with the JHA to bring greater choice and flexibility to mariners transiting through the Malacca and Singapore Straits (MSS) through its digital offering the Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS).
The UKHO currently has license to distribute MSS ENCs (Electronic Navigational Charts) through AVCS as a group and in managed Folios. In combination with other data provided by UKHO's international partner Hydrographic Offices in the regions, the MSS ENCs provide full comprehensive coverage of the Straits.
Under the new Agreement, customers will now also be able to access individual ENCs for periods of six or 12 months. This offers increased flexibility and the ability to match ENC coverage to operational patterns more accurately.
JHA official data is a significant component of AVCS coverage in the Far East which sees a high volume and diversity of shipping traffic that has to comply with Chapter V of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Regulations in respect of official and carriage compliant navigational charts and publications.
Speaking on behalf of the UKHO, UK National Hydrographer Rear Admiral Ian Moncrieff said: "This extension to our existing Bilateral Arrangement with Japan Hydrographic Association underlines the spirit of co-operation between Hydrographic Offices in improving our offering to seagoers and particularly the collective commitment throughout the IHO to the aim of global ENC coverage".
Mr Shinichi Kikuchi, Head of the International Affairs Office of the JHA, said: "I am delighted to announce this latest amendment to our current partnership which will bring flexible licensing to Mariners transiting through the Straits."
