28 November 2024

After more than 200 years of guiding mariners, Imray has announced that it will begin phasing out its chart publishing operations. “The tough decision reflects the shift towards digital navigation, but we’re not going anywhere.”

Imray will continue to provide pilot books and cruising guides with these publications remaining a valuable cornerstone providing verified information for mariners.

Paper charts will be supported until the end of 2025, including notices to mariners, but after that point no new editions will be published.

Imray has stated that there is an opportunity to acquire the chart business and/or rights to the Imray name, enabling a continuation of trading within the global community.

Although initially the UK Hydrographic Office proposed totally phasing out paper charts by 2026, it currently states:

“There is an ongoing need for paper charts. Despite declining use and need, it is not right to impose a change that would risk the mariner. There needs to be ongoing market change to remove the need for paper charts; it would be wrong for us to dictate this timescale. Instead, we will carefully monitor the market and respond when appropriate”.

The UKHO has stated that it will continue to supply and support paper charts until at least 2030, as following feedback it became clear that they still needed to address the needs of some specific users.

Note:

(Under MGN 280 (m), small commercial vessels must carry Charts and other nautical publications to plan and display the vessel’s route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage should be carried. The charts must be of such a scale and contain sufficient detail to show clearly all relevant navigational marks, known navigational hazards and, where appropriate, information concerning ships’ routing and ship reporting schemes, and additionally these charts must be corrected and up to date, sufficient for the vessel to navigate to a safe haven).

British Marine members can obtain more guidance and assistance on this and other subjects by contacting the technical team: technical@britishmarine.co.uk