Being the National Hydrographic Office, the DHOC is responsible for producing nautical charts necessary to ensure the safety of navigation in waters under its national jurisdiction. Currently, the DHOC co-produces its charts in collaboration with the Shom (French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service). The DHOC will be fully autonomous in this field, in 2021.
The nautical charts coproduced by the DHOC and Shom are mainly made using data coming from hydrographic surveys carried out by the DHOC and the Shom as well as other national and international partners. These charts are made according to the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards and specifications. They are available in paper and electronic format (ENC).
Moreover, the DHOC keep up-to-date its products. In fact, the nautical paper charts are kept up to date through the notices to mariners released monthly by the DHOC. While, the ENCs are updated timely using update files made by the DHOC and distributed by PRIMAR.
