Introduction

FRENCH TRANSLATION NEEDED 

PRIMAR is an international cooperation for the provision of a consistent and reliable Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) service.

PRIMAR is a worldwide ENC service operated by the Norwegian Hydrographic Service (NHS) on a non-profit basis. Its core aim is to provide the maritime community, through authorised distributors, with an ENC service recognised for its quality, user-friendliness and overall contribution to marine safety and efficiency at a global level.

The service incorporates the regional ENC coordinating centre (RENC), based on bilateral agreements with several nations as well as direct licence and distributor agreements with other hydrographic offices and distributors. The PRIMAR RENC is operated in accordance with the worldwide electronic navigational chart database (WEND) principles of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO).

ENCs from PRIMAR meet IMO SOLAS charts and carriage requirements when kept up-to-date and used on type approved ECDIS with appropriate backup.

PRIMAR's ENC Service is delivered via an international network of authorized distributors

Tools are provided by the NHS to all member nations so that they can exchange data, in addition to online quality control mechanisms.

The PRIMAR RENC’s policy is determined by its member states, who meet twice a year in the PRIMAR advisory committee (PAC) meeting.

In addition, the PAC can appoint various sub-groups as and when required. The technical experts working group (PTEWG) and the marketing group (PMG) are currently operational.

The PRIMAR RENC also cooperates with other RENCs, such as IC-ENC in the UK. This collaboration covers standards and technical issues as well as on information distributed to the global shipping market.

Elements of the PRIMAR ENC service

Virtual PRIMAR network (VPN)

The VPN is a web tool for secure administration of national ENCs, including their upload, download and release. Integrated in this process is a light quality check of data using the validation report checker (VRC) and the S57 advisor.

Member nations can also monitor their sales via the VPN. Full information on sales development and vessels in service are available online.

Navy supplier service

NHS offers all member nations a navy supplier service for effective delivery of ENCs to national naval forces.

Appointing a supplier to deliver ENCs to a national navy is a matter for the state concerned. This is covered by a separate navy supplier agreement between the NHS and the appointed navy supplier.

Pilots/VTS/other government users

The NHS offers all member states a service for pilots, vessel traffic services (VTS) and other government users. This can be delivered either via authorised distributors or through a national agreement with the NHS.  

Policy and mechanisms for delivering ENCs to such users are a matter for the national discretion of each member state. 

Distributor sales

All sales are made via an international network of distributors. These are required to provide ENCs as supplied by NHS and secured using the IHO S-63 format.

If permitted by the relevant nation, distributors can also supply ENCs in SENC format. They must then be certified as meeting the requirements set in the NHS SENC distributor specification by an approved body, such as Norway’s Det Norske Veritas (DNV) or Germany’s Bundesamt für Seeschifffart und Hydrographie (BSH).  

PRIMAR Chart Catalogue

The PRIMAR Chart Catalogue is an ordering and vessel chart management tool. Providing a graphical interface to ENC coverage available from the service, it is used by distributors to manage sales and distribution of ENC services to the commercial market.

Registered distributors can also access online ordering of ENC permit files, allowing them to manage their own customers directly via the PRIMAR server.

A distributor can add and edit information about its customers directly through the chart catalogue, and dynamically enter new customers for PRIMAR services without needing to interact with staff at the Stavanger head office in Norway.

The PRIMAR Chart Catalogue is under constant development, and will continue to provide safe and efficient ENC information as well as permit keys. It is available around the clock to appointed distributors.

PRIMAR Online

PRIMAR Online is an extended functionality of the PRIMAR Chart Catalogue which allows vessels to download updates and new editions in their portfolios directly.

The right to do this can only be obtained via an authorised PRIMAR distributor. Only encrypted data are transferred. The PRIMAR Online service is provided free of any additional charge on top of the normal subscription.

CD service

The NHS provides all its distributors with the necessary base and weekly update CDs. Distributors are free to download CD content from the PRIMAR website in order burn and distribute the CDs. Such access is based on profile requirements set by the NHS.

The format and content of ENCs cannot be changed in this process. The licensor will be kept continuously informed of any change in the PRIMAR CD service.

Contact

Please do not hesitate to contact PRIMAR for additional information on these components of its ENC service.