Esri’s Custom Chart Builder Adopted by the Shom (French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Office) for Nautical Chart Production

Esri announced that the Shom (French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Office) has officially adopted Custom Chart Builder (CCB) for automated production of all paper nautical charts. Following extensive testing and configuration, Shom confirmed that CCB-generated charts meet the stringent safety standards required by the French Navy, marking a pivotal advancement in automating maritime cartography and reinforcing its role as a pioneer in maritime digital transformation.

“This adoption demonstrates that high-quality, regulation-compliant paper charts can now be produced without manual intervention, dramatically reducing production time and cost,” said Rafael Ponce, Esri principal maritime consultant. “Shom’s endorsement validates Esri’s CCB as a trusted solution for hydrographic offices worldwide, supporting the transition to digital-first workflows and e-navigation.”

Over the course of 2024, Shom evaluated multiple software solutions and selected Esri’s CCB suite for its ability to automate chart creation from Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs). After a successful collaboration on development—including Shom’s customized symbology—Shom achieved a rendering quality that met the operational standards of the French Navy. The result is a scalable, efficient solution that preserves safety and compliance while enabling significant resource savings.