NHA Launches New Charts to Enhance Safe Navigation in Calabar Waters

The National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) will on October 1, 2026, release three new nautical charts covering the approaches to Calabar, Jamestown and the Port of Calabar.

The new charts, designated NG5514 Approaches to Calabar, NG5515 Jamestown and NG4255 – Port of Calabar, are expected to provide updated navigational information for mariners operating along the Calabar maritime corridor.

The agency, in a statement issued on Thursday, said the development marked a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its national nautical chart portfolio and provide authoritative navigational information for Nigerian waters.

According to the NHA, the charts collectively provide coverage from the approaches to Calabar through Jamestown and into the Port of Calabar limits, with updated hydrographic information to support safe and efficient navigation.

As part of the quality assurance process, the paper charts underwent technical assessment by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) to verify consistency with adjoining chart coverage.

The corresponding Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) were also independently validated by the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts (IC-ENC).

The agency said the processes were designed to ensure that the products meet applicable technical and navigational requirements for their intended operational use.

The release of the Nigerian charts will coincide with the planned withdrawal of UKHO Admiralty Charts 3433 and 3434, which currently provide coverage of the Calabar area.

NHA said it would coordinate with the UKHO to ensure a smooth transition and minimise the possibility of any gap in authoritative chart coverage for the maritime community.

The Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NHA, Rear Admiral OO Fadahunsi, described the development as evidence of Nigeria’s growing capacity to survey, chart and maintain its waterways in line with internationally recognised standards.

He said the agency’s priority was to ensure that mariners operating in Nigerian waters had access to accurate, current and authoritative information required for safe and efficient navigation.

Fadahunsi noted that the Calabar maritime corridor was strategically important to commercial shipping and other maritime activities within Nigeria’s eastern maritime domain.

He added that the availability of updated paper charts and ENCs would enhance navigational safety, support efficient vessel operations and strengthen maritime activities in the area.

The NHA said the release was part of its broader programme to progressively expand and modernise Nigeria’s national nautical chart portfolio.

It added that it would continue to conduct hydrographic surveys, produce new paper charts and ENCs, and maintain existing products through regular updates as new hydrographic and maritime safety information becomes available.

The three new charts will be officially available to mariners from October 1, 2026.