Nautical chart zero for the Baltic Sea: Water depths accurate to the centimeter

Shipping - Nautical chart zero for the Baltic Sea: Water depths accurate to the centimeter

For the first time, the countries bordering the Baltic Sea have agreed on a uniform altitude reference for nautical charts. To this end, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) and the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) carried out high-precision measurements of the Earth's gravitational pull at sea using the ships "Deneb" and "Capella". This is the prerequisite for being able to determine water depths with centimeter accuracy, both authorities announced on Friday.

The Baltic Sea is a relatively shallow sea in which many ships travel. "Accurate water depths are essential for safe shipping here," said BSH President Professor Helge Heegewaldt. This would allow ships to be loaded in the best possible way and routes to be planned more efficiently. A uniform height reference for nautical charts is also necessary for digitization as well as numerous offshore projects and long-term coastal protection, emphasized BKG President Paul Becker.

Last month, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) published a new model for the entire Baltic Sea region in order to define the height reference area across borders. This also defines the new nautical chart datum (SKN) to which the height and depth data refer. Germany has already been using this SKN specification since 2022, which is why the water depths in the BSH nautical charts have not changed.

Each Baltic Sea country had previously used its own local nautical chart datum, which is why the Hydrographic Commission for the Baltic Sea (BSHC) had commissioned a working group to develop a uniform nautical chart datum for the entire Baltic Sea. According to the information provided, all countries bordering the Baltic Sea - with the exception of Russia - have now introduced the uniform nautical chart datum, making it easier to use global satellite navigation systems for navigation. This also paves the way for increasingly automated shipping, which is more efficient and safer.

Press release

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1. The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), based in Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, was involved in the agreement for a uniform altitude reference for nautical charts in the Baltic Sea.
2. The geographical nature of the Baltic Sea, being a relatively shallow sea with frequent ship traffic, requires accurate water depth measurements for safe shipping and efficient planning.
3. In order to determine water depths with centimeter accuracy, the BSH and the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy conducted high-precision measurements using ships like "Deneb" and "Capella" in Schleswig-Holstein.
4. Environmental concerns and offshore projects are some of the reasons why a uniform height reference for nautical charts is necessary in the Baltic Sea region, as highlighted by BKG President Paul Becker.
5. The development of a uniform nautical chart datum for the entire Baltic Sea by the Hydrographic Commission for the Baltic Sea has been introduced by all Baltic Sea countries, except Russia, making it easier for automated shipping and navigation using global satellite systems.

Source: www.stern.de