Advancing S-129 and the S-100 Framework Through Collaboration

It has been a busy and exciting year for OMC, with Jason Rhee continuing to chair the S-129 Project Team under the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Working Group for the S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model. The operational edition of the S-129 Under Keel Clearance Management (Edition 2.0.0) Product Specification was published at the end of 2024, and OMC since continued to oversee ongoing enhancements in S-129. Throughout the year, OMC collaborated with international organisations and maritime stakeholders worldwide to continue improving not only S-129, but the broader S-100 framework.

A key highlight was the 10th IHO S-100 Working Group meeting held during September in Bali, Indonesia, where OMC and other participants discussed future maintenance and refinements in the S-100 framework, and its underlying Product Specifications, with the shared objective of improving situational awareness and navigational safety for mariners and vessels.

OMC is currently involved in different S-100 testbed activities. As a member of the Australian S-100 Working Group under the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping (ICSM), OMC is participating in the Torres Strait S-100 Sea Trial, a national initiative under the ICSM S-100 Working Group. The first phase of the Sea Trial involved a simulator trial, in which OMC provided S-129 test datasets and use-case scenarios based on of large vessels transiting through the Torres Strait under specific conditions.
Through close teamwork between OMC, AHO, AMSA, Smartship Australia, OSI Maritime, and expert mariners, valuable observations and feedback were collected to inform preparation for next year’s Sea Trial, and further refine the S-100 Product Specifications.

In parallel, OMC is also providing expert advice and facilitating S-129 test data production as part of the Simulator Test Beds for S-100 in confined waters, hosted by Carnival at their CSmart simulation centre in Almere, the Netherlands. Looking ahead to 2026, OMC remains committed to contributing to the maintenance, testing, and implementation of the S-129 Product Specification under the S-100 framework.

Through ongoing collaboration with experts, and involvement in activities around the world, we look forward to continue working towards our goals of helping the maritime industry through navigational safety, optimised shipping, and reduced environmental impact.