Maritime Security Chart

Introduction

A Maritime Security Chart is a specialist thematic chart designed to complement conventional nautical charts when navigating in regions where particular risks may affect vessels, crews and cargo. It does not replace a navigational chart, but provides specialised information relating to maritime security, risk areas, reporting arrangements, restrictions and security recommendations.

These documents are particularly relevant to ocean passages, international voyages, commercial shipping routes and navigation in certain sensitive areas of the world. They enable navigators, masters and officers responsible for navigation to incorporate the security dimension into voyage planning.

The ADMIRALTY Maritime Security Charts, published by the UK Hydrographic Office, cover major maritime areas including the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, South-East Asia and West Africa including the Gulf of Guinea. The UKHO specifies that these charts should be used together with standard nautical charts and publications.

What is a Maritime Security Chart?

A Maritime Security Chart is a specialist nautical chart dedicated to maritime security and the management of security-related risks.

Unlike a conventional nautical chart, whose primary purpose is to show depths, hazards, aids to navigation and other information required for safe navigation, a Maritime Security Chart focuses on information that may affect the security of a vessel and its crew.

Depending on the area covered, it may include:

• areas presenting maritime security risks;

• exclusion zones and restricted areas;

• vessel reporting arrangements;

• transit corridors;

• regional authorities and security organisations;

• reporting procedures and requirements;

• emergency contacts;

• security advice and protective measures;

• information relating to specific maritime threats.

The UKHO states that ADMIRALTY Maritime Security Charts include information relating to piracy, terrorism, embargoes, mine warfare, exclusion zones, blockades, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, smuggling, and GPS jamming or spoofing.

This information contributes to situational awareness, enabling the bridge team to build a clearer picture of the maritime environment in which the vessel is operating.

What is a Maritime Security Chart used for?

The principal purpose of a Maritime Security Chart is to incorporate security risks into voyage planning.

Before departure, the navigator can use it to:

• identify areas requiring particular security awareness;

• examine sensitive areas crossed by the planned route;

• identify applicable reporting arrangements;

• review regional emergency contacts;

• identify designated transit corridors;

• prepare appropriate reporting procedures;

• incorporate security considerations into the voyage risk assessment.

This is particularly relevant to vessels undertaking long-distance international voyages.

For example, a passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean may cross several maritime environments with different security considerations. A Maritime Security Chart allows the navigator to supplement conventional chartwork with a dedicated assessment of security-related information.

Maritime Security Charts and conventional nautical charts

It is essential to understand that a Maritime Security Chart does not replace a conventional nautical chart.

The standard navigational chart remains essential for information such as:

• depths and soundings;

• shoals;

• reefs;

• wrecks;

• channels;

• lights;

• buoys;

• navigational hazards;

• ports and harbour approaches;

• regulated areas.

A Maritime Security Chart provides different information.

It can help answer questions such as: what security risks are associated with this region? Which authorities should be contacted? Are there reporting requirements? Are there specific transit corridors or exclusion zones that should be considered?

The two types of charts are therefore complementary.

The UKHO specifically states that ADMIRALTY Maritime Security Charts should be used in conjunction with standard nautical charts and publications.

ADMIRALTY Maritime Security Charts

The ADMIRALTY Maritime Security Charts, published by the UK Hydrographic Office, form a specialist international series of charts dedicated to maritime security.

They are generally identified by chart numbers beginning with Q, such as Q6099, Q6110, Q6111, Q6112, Q6113 and Q6114.

These charts cover large geographical areas and are therefore particularly suitable for international and ocean-going passages.

The UKHO maintains additional Security Related Information to Mariners (SRIM) for the Q-series. These updates provide additional security information and help mariners maintain the charts with the latest relevant information.

Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea

ADMIRALTY Q6099 covers the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, including the Gulf of Aden to Red Sea Transit Corridor.

This region forms a major international maritime route between the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the principal shipping routes towards Asia.

The Q6099 chart includes security-related information, reporting arrangements and regional contacts. It should be used together with the navigational charts covering the actual route.

The area includes major maritime centres and ports such as Suez, Port Said, Jeddah, Aden and Salalah, as well as the shipping routes connecting the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean.

Because security conditions can change rapidly in this region, the latest SRIM information is an important part of voyage preparation. The UKHO currently publishes active security information associated with Q6099, including information concerning heightened activity in the Middle East.

Mediterranean Sea

ADMIRALTY Q6110 covers the Mediterranean Sea and Strait of Gibraltar.

The Mediterranean is an exceptionally international maritime environment, connecting Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Black Sea.

Ports such as Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Valletta, Barcelona, Valencia, Algeciras, Alexandria, Limassol and Piraeus form part of this extensive maritime network.

A Maritime Security Chart adds a specific security dimension to Mediterranean passage planning, complementing navigational charts from ADMIRALTY, SHOM, Imray and other hydrographic authorities as appropriate to the waters concerned.

The Q6110 security information also includes regional reporting arrangements and contacts.

Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea

ADMIRALTY Q6111 covers the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, including the Strait of Hormuz.

This region is characterised by intense commercial, industrial and energy-related maritime activity. It includes the approaches to major ports and maritime centres such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Manama, Kuwait and Karachi.

For a vessel transiting this area, maritime security forms an additional component of voyage planning.

Security information should always be checked against the latest available notices and regional information before departure, particularly when operating in areas where the security situation can evolve rapidly.

West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea

ADMIRALTY Q6114 covers West Africa including the Gulf of Guinea.

This extensive area of the Atlantic includes the approaches to ports such as Dakar, Abidjan, Tema, Lomé, Cotonou, Lagos, Douala, Libreville and Luanda.

The chart is relevant to commercial shipping, professional delivery voyages and international passages along this part of the Atlantic.

The security information can include reporting arrangements, secure anchorage areas, maritime exclusion zones and other regional security information. The UKHO also provides specific reporting documentation associated with the Q6114 area.

Karachi to Quanzhou and South-East Asia

The ADMIRALTY Q-series also covers important maritime routes across the Indian Ocean and Asia.

Q6112 covers the area from Karachi to Quanzhou, while Q6113 covers the area from Zhanjiang to Hokkaido, including the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea transit corridors.

These regions form part of major commercial routes linking the Indian Ocean, South-East Asia, the Western Pacific and East Asia.

The information may therefore be relevant to voyages involving the Bay of Bengal, the Malacca Strait, the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea, the Celebes Sea and the approaches to major ports such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and other Asian maritime centres.

The transit corridors identified on the Q-series charts are intended to support the organisation and security of maritime traffic in specific areas.

Use on board

A Maritime Security Chart is primarily a voyage-planning and reference document.

It can be consulted:

• before departure;

• during passage planning;

• during bridge-team briefings;

• before entering a sensitive area;

• during an international passage;

• when preparing a route alteration.

On a commercial vessel, security information can be incorporated into the company's formal voyage risk assessment and navigation procedures.

For an offshore yacht, delivery vessel or long-distance cruising yacht, it can also provide useful information before entering a region where maritime security requires particular attention.

The importance of keeping security information up to date

Maritime security conditions can change significantly.

A region considered relatively stable may experience a rapid deterioration in the security situation. Conversely, security measures and reporting requirements may also change as regional conditions evolve.

For this reason, the UKHO provides the Security Related Information to Mariners (SRIM) service in association with its Maritime Security Charts. SRIM information can identify new threats, exclusion zones, security advice and other information affecting the safety and security of navigation.

ADMIRALTY also states that Maritime Security Charts are maintained through the established ADMIRALTY Notices to Mariners process, while new editions are issued when required.

The printed chart should therefore be regarded as one element of a wider security information system rather than as an isolated source of information.

Maritime Security Charts and international voyage planning

A long-distance voyage may require several different levels of charting and planning information.

A route between Europe and Asia, for example, may involve:

• the Atlantic Ocean;

• the Mediterranean Sea;

• the Suez Canal;

• the Red Sea;

• the Gulf of Aden;

• the Arabian Sea;

• the Indian Ocean;

• the Malacca Strait;

• the South China Sea.

Voyage preparation may therefore combine official nautical charts, ocean passage planning charts, Sailing Directions, meteorological information and Maritime Security Charts.

This approach helps distinguish the different categories of risk: navigation, weather, maritime traffic and security.

Who uses Maritime Security Charts?

Maritime Security Charts are particularly relevant to:

• masters of commercial vessels;

• merchant navy officers;

• shipping companies;

• offshore service vessels;

• research and specialised vessels;

• professional delivery skippers;

• crews preparing international passages;

• offshore cruising yachts undertaking long-distance voyages;

• maritime schools and training centres.

They are especially relevant when a route crosses an area where security considerations need to be incorporated into voyage planning.

Maritime Security Charts and other chart publishers

ADMIRALTY Maritime Security Charts are specialised planning charts and should not be confused with conventional navigational charts from hydrographic services such as the UK Hydrographic Office, SHOM, NOAA or other national hydrographic authorities.

Depending on the geographical area, the navigator may use official ADMIRALTY charts, SHOM charts, Imray charts or charts from another competent hydrographic authority for navigation, while the Maritime Security Chart provides additional security-related information.

This distinction is important for SEO and, more importantly, for navigation: the security chart addresses a specific aspect of voyage planning and is not intended to replace the official charting required for safe navigation.

Conclusion

A Maritime Security Chart is a specialist document designed to complement conventional nautical charts with information relating to the security of vessels, crews and cargo.

The ADMIRALTY Maritime Security Charts cover strategically important regions including the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, as well as major maritime areas in Asia. They provide information concerning security risks, reporting arrangements, regional contacts, transit corridors, exclusion zones and general security advice.

They do not replace the nautical charts required for navigation. Their value lies in their specific role as a complement to official charts, nautical publications and the latest available security information.

For an ocean passage, professional delivery voyage or international commercial route, a Maritime Security Chart can therefore form an important part of voyage preparation and risk assessment.

FAQ

What is a Maritime Security Chart?

A Maritime Security Chart is a specialist thematic chart dedicated to maritime security. It provides information concerning security risks, reporting arrangements, restricted areas, transit corridors, regional contacts and security advice.

Does a Maritime Security Chart replace a conventional nautical chart?

No. It complements the navigational chart, which remains essential for depths, hazards, aids to navigation, ports, channels and other information required for navigation.

What is an ADMIRALTY Maritime Security Chart?

It is a specialist planning chart published by the UK Hydrographic Office. The Q-series covers a number of major maritime regions where security-related information is relevant to voyage planning.

What area does chart Q6099 cover?

ADMIRALTY Q6099 covers the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, including the Gulf of Aden to Red Sea Transit Corridor.

Which Maritime Security Chart covers the Mediterranean Sea?

ADMIRALTY Q6110 covers the Mediterranean Sea and Strait of Gibraltar and includes security-related information, reporting arrangements and regional contacts.

Which chart covers the Persian Gulf?

ADMIRALTY Q6111 covers the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, including the Strait of Hormuz.

Which chart covers the Gulf of Guinea?

ADMIRALTY Q6114 covers West Africa including the Gulf of Guinea. It also provides information relating to reporting arrangements and regional security procedures.

Are Maritime Security Charts useful for yachts?

They can be useful for offshore and long-distance cruising yachts when a passage crosses an area covered by the series and where security considerations form part of voyage planning. They should always be used together with the appropriate navigational charts and other relevant publications.

Are Maritime Security Charts updated?

Yes. ADMIRALTY maintains the Q-series through the Notices to Mariners system and provides additional Security Related Information to Mariners (SRIM). New editions are issued when required.

What is SRIM?

SRIM stands for Security Related Information to Mariners. It is an ADMIRALTY information service providing additional security-related information associated with the Maritime Security Charts, including new threats, exclusion zones, reporting arrangements and specific security advice.

What charts should be used with a Maritime Security Chart?

A Maritime Security Chart should be used together with the official navigational charts appropriate to the voyage, as well as relevant nautical publications and current security information.

For which types of navigation are Maritime Security Charts particularly relevant?

They are particularly relevant to commercial shipping, offshore operations, professional delivery voyages, international passages and long-distance cruising in regions where maritime security needs to be incorporated into voyage planning.