By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) will officially release three new nautical charts covering the approaches to Calabar, Jamestown and the Port of Calabar on October 1, 2026.
The release coincides with the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) withdrawal of Admiralty Charts 3433 and 3434, marking a major transition to authoritative Nigerian chart coverage of the Calabar maritime corridor.
The development represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen 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 for safe and efficient navigation.
As part of the quality assurance process, the paper charts underwent technical assessment by the 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 release of the NHA charts will coincide with the planned withdrawal of UKHO Admiralty Charts 3433 and 3434. Accordingly, NHA and UKHO will coordinate the transition to support continuity of coverage and minimise any gap in chart availability.
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 required for safe and efficient navigation.”
He noted that the Calabar maritime corridor is strategically important to commercial shipping and other maritime activities within Nigeria’s eastern maritime domain.
The release forms part of NHA’s broader programme to progressively expand and modernise Nigeria’s national nautical chart portfolio.
