About us
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-11)

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is a world-leading centre for hydrography, delivering data and expertise to support safe, secure and thriving oceans.

Who we are

Supporting safe navigation is at the heart of what we do. We deliver quality, innovative maritime navigation solutions, trusted by customers and partners worldwide, through our ADMIRALTY portfolio, which is relied upon by over 90% of large ships trading internationally to support safe, efficient and compliant global trade.

This is underpinned by the work undertaken by our experts, in partnership with a range of organisations worldwide, to source, process and publish hydrographic and marine geospatial data from seabed to surface and beyond.

We also represent the UK government internationally as an authority on hydrography and seabed mapping. As part of our public task, we fulfil the UK’s Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) obligations, advise on policy matters and help set and raise standards worldwide. This includes vital support to the Royal Navy and all UK defence vessels, from ships to submarines, which rely on our products, services and information for safe navigation and operations.

Beyond UK waters, we fulfil the charting responsibilities for 63 coastal states as their Primary Charting Authority. We work closely with UK Overseas Territories and Commonwealth nations to manage and fulfil their marine geospatial data requirements. Enabling safer and more efficient maritime trade, enhancing maritime security and supporting shared environmental initiatives.

By working with the wider maritime community, we are committed to promoting hydrography’s role in addressing global challenges and ensuring the safe and responsible use of our oceans for generations to come.

Find out more about our ADMIRALTY products and services (https://www.admiralty.co.uk/)

Learn about our role in government (https://www.admiralty.co.uk/government)

Supporting safe navigation UK Hydrographic Office (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KeG4pHcVyY)

Our framework document

Our framework document sets out the UKHO‘s purpose and role, together with the governance, policy and finance parameters that guide our day-to-day operations. It also captures the MOD‘s expectations for the Trading Fund, its top-level objectives, and the arrangements in place to ensure the effective delivery of these.

UKHO framework document (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ceffd0d38a67eb3afaa649/20250307_UKHO_Framework_Document_Update2025_FINAL.pdf) (PDF, 596 KB, 32 pages)

Our public task

Our public task defines those things that UKHO is required to do by statute or common administrative practice. You can find our public task in annex A of our framework document (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ceffd0d38a67eb3afaa649/20250307_UKHO_Framework_Document_Update2025_FINAL.pdf).

Maritime safety information

We assess incoming hydrographic data immediately for vital safety information. We issue urgent updates as Navigational Warnings or chart-updating Notices to Mariners (NMs). We issued over 1600 Navigational Warnings and over 5000 Notices to Mariners in 2023.

We issue:
- Notices to Mariners (NMs) (https://msi.admiralty.co.uk/NoticesToMariners/Weekly)
- Radio Navigational Warnings (https://msi.admiralty.co.uk/RadioNavigationalWarnings)
- Security Related Information for Mariners (SRIM) (https://www.admiralty.co.uk/maritime-safety-information/security-related-information-to-mariners)
We also manage secure login areas for distributors, licensees and ADMIRALTY Partners (https://msi.admiralty.co.uk/) to access our safety information.