Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)

ECDIS is a system that is able to display electronic chart information with automatic position updates that has built in redundancy. ECDIS is a complex system for vessel handling assisting the mariner in all aspects of navigation. ECDIS display digital charts information together with ships position and course and requires redundancy. It is the legal equivalent of a paper chart.


The ECDIS makes navigation easy and significantly improves safety at sea. The ECDIS offers precise information about the position of the ship, and includes intuitive route planning functions, ensuring optimal navigation routes, which in turn leads to reduced fuel consumption.


ECDIS will become mandatory onboard vessel when;


- passanger ships of 500 gross register tonnage (GRT) and upwards constructed on or 1 July 2012
- tankers of 3,000 GRT and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2012
- cargo ships, other than tankers, of 10,000 GRT and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2013
- cargo ships, other than tankers, of 3,000 GRT and upwards but less than 10,000 GRT constructed on or after 1 july 2014
- passenger ships of 500 GRT and upwards constructed before 1 July 2012, not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2014
- tankers of 3,000 GRT and upwards constructed before 1 July 2012, not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2015
- cargo ships, other than tankers, of 50,000 GRT and upwards constructed before 1 July 2013, not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2016
- cargo ships, other than tankers, of 20,000 GRT and upwards but less than 50,000 GRT constructed before 1 July 2013, not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2017
- cargo ships, other than tankers, of 10,000 GRT and upwards but less than 20,000 GRT constructed before 1 July 2013, not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2018

ECDIS