Nautical Charts of the Norwegian and Greenland Seas: Charts for Navigation in Northern Regions

Introduction

The Norwegian Sea and Greenland Sea are vast maritime areas located between Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and the Arctic Ocean. These regions include the Norwegian Sea, Greenland Sea, waters around Iceland, Jan Mayen, Svalbard and the eastern coast of Greenland.

A nautical chart of the Norwegian and Greenland Seas is essential for planning an ocean passage, offshore navigation or coastal sailing in these northern regions. It provides a representation of coastlines, depths, hazards, shoals, islands, channels and major ports, with a level of detail appropriate to the intended navigation.

This area presents conditions that are very different from those found in the more southerly European seas. Distances between land masses can be considerable, weather conditions can change rapidly, and navigation may involve fog, strong winds, heavy swell, low temperatures and, depending on latitude and season, sea ice.

When planning a passage from Norway to Iceland, Greenland or Svalbard, it is therefore important to have appropriate chart coverage for each stage of the voyage and for each navigation scale.

The Main Areas Covered by Nautical Charts

The Norwegian Sea

The Norwegian Sea extends between the Norwegian coast, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and the North Atlantic. It forms an important maritime route between continental Europe and the northern regions.

Nautical charts of the Norwegian Sea are particularly useful for offshore passages between Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, as well as routes towards Jan Mayen and Greenland.

For offshore navigation, a small-scale general chart provides an overview of the entire route. As the vessel approaches the coast, larger-scale charts become necessary.

The Greenland Sea

The Greenland Sea lies between the eastern coast of Greenland, Iceland, Jan Mayen and Svalbard. It forms a transition zone between the North Atlantic and the Arctic regions.

A nautical chart of the Greenland Sea is used to plan passages between Iceland, Jan Mayen, Greenland and the Svalbard archipelago.

This region is of particular interest to offshore sailors, yachts undertaking northern voyages and maritime expeditions. The considerable distances require careful route planning and close attention to weather conditions.

The Norwegian Coast

The Norwegian coastline extends for thousands of kilometres and has an extremely complex maritime geography. It includes numerous fjords, islands, archipelagos, reefs, shoals and channels.

Ports such as Bergen, Ålesund, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø and Hammerfest are important points along coastal routes and voyages towards the north.

Navigation around the Lofoten Islands, Vesterålen and northern Norway requires detailed charts that accurately identify navigable passages, hazards and harbour approaches.

Jan Mayen

Jan Mayen is an isolated volcanic island located between Iceland and Norway. Its remote location and surrounding maritime environment make careful chart preparation particularly important.

A nautical chart covering Jan Mayen can be used when planning a passage between Iceland, Norway, Greenland or Svalbard.

Svalbard

Svalbard is one of the northernmost regions accessible by sea. The archipelago includes Spitsbergen, with ports and anchorages such as Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund, as well as numerous other coastal areas.

Nautical charts of Svalbard are essential for navigating between the fjords, islands and mountainous coastlines of the archipelago.

Conditions can be very different from those encountered along European coasts. Sea ice, icebergs, visibility and weather conditions must all be considered when planning navigation.

The Norwegian Mapping Authority specifically warns that significant areas around Svalbard remain incompletely surveyed, and that the quality and detail of depth information can vary considerably between areas. (Kartverket.no)

The Eastern Coast of Greenland

The eastern coast of Greenland is one of the most remote areas of the North Atlantic. It is characterised by deep fjords, mountains, glaciers and numerous islands.

Areas such as Tasiilaq, Ittoqqortoormiit and the fjords of eastern Greenland may form part of expeditionary voyages.

Chart coverage should be selected carefully, taking into account the scale, geographic coverage and currency of the available hydrographic information.

What Information Can Be Found on a Nautical Chart of the Norwegian and Greenland Seas?

A nautical chart provides much more information than a conventional geographical map. It is specifically designed for maritime navigation and enables the navigator to understand the environment in which the vessel is operating.

Depending on the scale and area covered, a nautical chart may show:

• Soundings and depth contours

• Shoals and underwater hazards

• Reefs and rocks

• Wrecks and obstructions

• Coastlines, islands and archipelagos

• Lights and navigational aids

• Beacons and buoys

• Navigable channels

• Anchorage areas

• Harbour approaches

• Maritime installations

• Submarine cables and pipelines

• Restricted or prohibited areas

• Information required for route planning

In northern waters, chart scale is particularly important. A general chart is suitable for planning a long offshore passage, while a coastal or harbour chart provides much greater detail for navigation close to land.

The Norwegian chart system includes general charts ranging from approximately 1:700,000 to 1:10,000,000, covering the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Svalbard, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, Iceland, eastern Greenland and the North Atlantic. (Kartverket.no)

The Particular Challenges of Navigation in Northern Seas

Long Distances

The Norwegian Sea and Greenland Sea contain extensive ocean areas. A passage between Norway and Iceland, or between Iceland and Greenland, can cover several hundred nautical miles.

A small-scale chart provides an overall view of the route and makes it possible to visualise the distances between the various land masses.

Challenging Weather Conditions

Weather conditions in the North Atlantic can change rapidly. Wind, swell, low-pressure systems, fog and reduced visibility are important factors when planning a voyage.

A nautical chart does not replace weather forecasts. It provides the geographical framework needed to adapt the planned route to the expected conditions.

Norwegian Fjords and Channels

Close to Norway, navigation changes considerably. The coastline is deeply indented by numerous fjords and archipelagos.

In narrow waters, a large-scale chart is essential for identifying soundings, rocks, reefs, channels and navigable areas.

Ice and Arctic Regions

As navigation progresses towards Svalbard and Greenland, sea ice becomes an additional factor.

The presence of sea ice or icebergs can affect navigation conditions. Charting must therefore be combined with up-to-date information on ice conditions and available meteorological data.

The Main Chart Publishers and Hydrographic Services

The Norwegian Hydrographic Service – Kartverket

The Norwegian Mapping Authority's Hydrographic Service is the official reference for nautical charting in Norway.

It produces harbour, coastal and general charts. Its general chart series covers areas including the Norwegian Sea, Greenland Sea, Svalbard, Barents Sea, North Atlantic and other northern waters.

The general series is particularly suited to planning long-distance offshore passages. The official Norwegian chart catalogue includes international INT charts covering, among other areas, the Norwegian Sea, Greenland Sea and the Svalbard–Greenland region. (Kartverket.no)

Admiralty – United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

Charts produced by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office under the ADMIRALTY brand are another major international reference for offshore and coastal navigation.

ADMIRALTY coverage can be used to complement charting of North Atlantic waters and routes connecting the British Isles, Norway, Iceland and the Arctic regions.

Imray

Imray publishes charts intended particularly for recreational and coastal navigation. Its charts use official hydrographic information together with additional information intended for small-craft navigators.

Depending on the area, Imray charts can be useful for coastal navigation in Norway and other northern regions.

NV Charts

NV Charts also provides chart products designed for recreational navigation and voyage planning in Northern European waters.

Depending on the geographic area, its products are available in different formats and levels of detail.

Danish and Greenlandic Hydrographic Authorities

For navigation around Greenland, charts produced under the Danish hydrographic framework are also important. They complement general charts covering the North Atlantic and Greenland Sea.

For an international passage, it is important to check continuity of chart coverage between Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Denmark and the other northern territories involved in the voyage.

Paper or Digital Nautical Charts?

Paper charts remain valuable for offshore passage planning and as an independent navigation reference.

They allow navigators to work on the route, identify the different chart coverage areas and maintain an overall view of the voyage.

Digital charts provide additional functions such as position display, zooming, route planning and integration with a chartplotter or, for official ENC navigation, an ECDIS.

It is important to distinguish raster charts, which reproduce the appearance of a paper chart in digital form, from vector charts, which consist of individual digital objects and data that can be dynamically displayed by navigation systems.

For professional navigation, the official status of the chart data, the navigation system in use and the applicable requirements must be carefully checked.

How Do You Choose the Scale of a Nautical Chart?

The appropriate chart scale depends directly on the type of navigation planned.

For a passage between Norway and Iceland or between Iceland and Greenland, a small-scale general chart provides an overall view of the ocean route.

For coastal navigation in Norway, a larger-scale chart is required to provide more precise information about fjords, archipelagos, reefs and channels.

For approaching a port such as Bergen, Tromsø or Longyearbyen, a large-scale chart is preferable to provide the level of detail required for navigation in more confined waters.

A single voyage may therefore require several levels of chart coverage:

• General chart for offshore passage planning

• Coastal chart for approaching land

• Detailed chart for coastal passages

• Harbour chart for port approaches and manoeuvring

The Norwegian chart series follows this principle, with separate general, coastal, main and harbour chart series designed for different navigation requirements. (Kartverket.no)

Conclusion

A nautical chart of the Norwegian and Greenland Seas is an essential tool for planning navigation in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions. From the Norwegian coastline and the Lofoten Islands to Iceland, Jan Mayen, Svalbard and eastern Greenland, navigation conditions vary considerably with latitude and geographic area.

The Norwegian Sea and Greenland Sea are characterised by long distances, rapidly changing weather and sometimes demanding offshore conditions. The Norwegian coastal areas add the complexity of fjords, archipelagos, reefs and narrow channels. Further north, sea ice and Arctic conditions become additional factors.

Choosing a nautical chart therefore requires consideration of the geographic area, planned route, chart scale, type of navigation and navigation system being used.

Charts produced by the Norwegian Hydrographic Service, ADMIRALTY charts, Imray and NV Charts, together with chart coverage for Iceland, Greenland and other northern territories, make it possible to build suitable coverage for both offshore passages and coastal navigation.

FAQ – Nautical Charts of the Norwegian and Greenland Seas

Which nautical chart should I use to navigate the Norwegian Sea?

The choice depends on the route and type of navigation. A general chart is suitable for an offshore passage, while a coastal or detailed chart is required close to the Norwegian coast, fjords and ports.

Which nautical chart should I use between Norway and Iceland?

A passage between Norway and Iceland generally requires a general chart covering the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic. Larger-scale charts are then needed for coastal and harbour approaches.

Which nautical chart covers the Greenland Sea?

The Greenland Sea is covered by general charts produced by several hydrographic authorities, including international chart series. The Norwegian general chart series specifically includes the Greenland Sea.

Which charts should I use for navigation in Greenland?

For navigation in Greenland, charts should be selected according to the specific coastline and sailing areas involved. General charts are suitable for offshore passages, while larger-scale charts are required for coastal approaches and fjords.

Which nautical chart should I use for Svalbard?

Navigation around Svalbard requires charts appropriate to the archipelago and the planned navigation scale. General charts can be used to plan the passage towards Svalbard, while more detailed charts are required for fjords and approaches to Longyearbyen and other coastal areas.

Can I use a nautical chart for navigation around Jan Mayen?

Yes, provided that the chart covers the island and the intended navigation area. Because Jan Mayen is extremely remote, careful passage planning and verification of current weather and navigational information are particularly important.

What is the difference between a general chart and a coastal chart?

A general chart covers a very large area at a small scale and is primarily used for offshore passage planning. A coastal chart covers a smaller area and provides more detailed information about depths, hazards, coastlines and navigation routes.

Are digital nautical charts suitable for navigation in the High North?

Digital charts can be used depending on their type, status, navigation system and applicable requirements. Official ENC charts are designed for use in ECDIS, while other digital chart products are widely used for recreational navigation.

Which Norwegian ports are important on nautical charts?

Important ports and navigation points include Bergen, Ålesund, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø, Hammerfest and Longyearbyen in Svalbard. Their relevance naturally depends on the planned route and navigation area.

Do I need several charts to cross the Norwegian Sea and Greenland Sea?

Yes. A long offshore passage will generally require charts at several scales. A general chart can be used for ocean passage planning, followed by larger-scale charts for approaches to Iceland, Norway, Greenland or Svalbard.