By Frank Ulom
The National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) will officially release three new nautical charts covering the approaches to Calabar, Jamestown and the Port of Calabar on 1 October 2026. The development represents a Significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen and expand its national nautical chart portfolio and provide authoritative navigational information for Nigerian waters.
The new chart series comprises NG5514 – Approaches to Calabar; NG5515 – Jamestown; and NG4255 – Port of Calabar. Collectively, the charts provide updated navigational coverage from the approaches to Calabar through Jamestown and into the Port of Calabar limits, providing mariners with current hydrographic information to support safe and efficient navigation along the important maritime corridor.
As part of the quality assurance process preceding their release, 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 (ICENC). These processes provide assurance that the products meet the applicable technical and navigational requirements for their intended operational use.
The release of the NHA charts will coincide with the planned withdrawal of UKHO Admiralty Charts 3433 and 3434, which currently provide coverage of the Calabar area. Accordingly, NHA and UKHO will coordinate the transition to support continuity of authoritative navigational coverage and minimise the possibility of any gap in chart availability to the maritime community.
Commenting on the development, the Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NHA, Rear Admiral O.O. Fadahunsi, said: “The publication of these charts represents more than the release of new navigational products. It demonstrates Nigeria’s growing capacity to survey, chart and maintain its waterways to internationally recognised standards. Our priority is to ensure that mariners operating within Nigerian waters have access to accurate, current and authoritative |information requiredforsafe ad effcient navigation.”
The Calabar maritime corridor is strategically important to commercial shipping and other maritime activities within Nigeria’s eastern maritime domain. The availability of updated paper charts and ENCs will enhance safety of navigation, support efficient vessel operations and strengthen other maritime activities within the area.
The release forms part of NHA’s broader programme to progressively expand and modernise Nigeria’s national nautical chart portfolio. The Agency will 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.
