Japan Announces Flag State Approval for Admiralty Digital Publications

PRESS RELEASE – Japan is the most recent addition to a growing list of Flag States to formally approve the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office’s range of Admiralty Digital Publications.

The Maritime Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has confirmed that the 5,418 vessels under the Japanese flag can now use the official electronic alternatives to Admiralty publications while remaining SOLAS compliant.

Admiralty Digital Publications are digital versions of the UK Hydrographic Office’s most popular publications. They include Admiralty Digital List of Lights, the world’s most advanced source of light and fog signal information, Admiralty Digital Radio Signals Volume 6, which provides up-to-date maritime radio communications and pilot services information, and Admiralty TotalTide, the world’s most comprehensive tidal prediction program. Offering greater functionality and ease of use than their paper equivalents, these are essential publications for seafarers.

As signatories to the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention, Flag State authorities are responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the Convention are met for those vessels under their jurisdiction. Flag State approval for Admiralty Digital Publications permits their vessels to use these digital versions for navigational purposes.

With the addition of Japan, Admiralty Digital Publications have been approved by 16 of the 20 largest Flag States including Panama, Liberia and the Marshall Islands. In addition, Portugal, Mongolia, Honduras, Nicaragua, the UAE and the Seychelles have also issued their formal approval for Admiralty Digital Publications since the start of 2013. In total, 60 Flag States have now approved Admiralty Digital Publications, covering a large majority of the world’s vessels.

Ian Moncrieff CBE, Chief Executive of the UK Hydrographic Office, commented:

“Admiralty Digital Publications are designed to meet SOLAS carriage requirements and are relied upon by mariners around the world for their voyage planning needs as the shipping industry continues its transition to digital navigation. It is welcome news that more Flag States are recognising the additional benefit to the mariner of digital products and are approving their use.”

Jo Washington, Product Manager for Admiralty Digital Publications at the UK Hydrographic Office, said: “Whether it is light and fog signal information, radio communications, pilot services or tidal predictions, Admiralty Digital Publications not only offer exactly the same data content as their paper versions, they also provide more flexible ways of viewing and searching for information. Updates are provided electronically every week and take just seconds to apply, greatly reducing the time involved in manual corrections and the risk of human error. Shipping companies can find out more about a free trial of Admiralty Digital Publications by contacting their local distributor of Admiralty products.”

To find out more about Admiralty Digital Publications or to contact a local distributor to enquire about a free three-month trial, visitwww.admiralty.co.uk. For an updated list of all approved Flag States, visit www.ukho.gov.uk.

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