Shom C Nautical Chart – Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Sea of Marmara

Introduction

The Shom C nautical chart is a printed paper chart, generally supplied flat or rolled, designed for maritime navigation in the Mediterranean Sea and its associated waters. This extensive maritime area connects Southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Black Sea, and includes a wide variety of navigation environments: offshore routes, coastal waters, islands, archipelagos, straits, channels, ports and anchorages.

Shom nautical charts provide essential information for voyage planning and navigation, including soundings, depth contours, shoals, rocks, reefs, wrecks, navigation aids, lights, channels, ports, anchorages, landmarks and regulated areas. Shom confirms that nautical charts are one of the main supports for nautical information, while also stressing that they should be complemented by other nautical publications and up-to-date information.

The Shom C range is particularly suitable for offshore navigation, passage planning and route preparation. Depending on the area and scale, several charts may be required to cover an entire voyage safely and accurately.

Mediterranean-wide nautical chart coverage

The Mediterranean Sea extends from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Levant and includes several major navigation areas. A Mediterranean passage can involve French, Spanish, Italian, Maltese, Greek, Turkish, Cypriot, Egyptian, Tunisian or Algerian waters.

The Shom C Mediterranean range can therefore be relevant to routes between France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt and North Africa.

The geographical areas commonly encountered include:

• Western Mediterranean

• Central Mediterranean

• Eastern Mediterranean

• Adriatic Sea

• Ionian Sea

• Aegean Sea

• Sea of Marmara

• Black Sea

• Dardanelles

• Bosphorus

• Approaches to the Strait of Gibraltar

The Shom catalogue includes charts covering different scales and navigation purposes, from broad offshore passage planning to more detailed coastal and harbour approaches.

For example, Shom C 7081C covers the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea at a scale of 1:4,200,000 and is intended for a broad geographical overview and offshore navigation.

At the opposite end of the scale, detailed charts are designed for more restricted coastal areas and approaches.

Western Mediterranean

Western Mediterranean navigation includes the French, Spanish, Italian and North African coasts, as well as the Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Malta.

Important navigation areas include:

• Marseille and the Gulf of Lion

• Toulon and the Var coast

• Nice and the French Riviera

• Port-Vendres and the French-Spanish border

• Corsica

• Barcelona

• Valencia

• Palma de Mallorca

• Genoa

• Livorno

• Cagliari

• Palermo

• Valletta

• Algiers

• Oran

• Tunis

This area is characterised by a combination of offshore passages, busy commercial routes, coastal navigation and numerous islands and anchorages.

The French Mediterranean coast also includes many areas where detailed coastal charts become essential, particularly around Marseille, Toulon, the Hyères islands, Corsica and the approaches to major ports.

When planning a passage between France, Corsica, Sardinia, Italy or the Balearic Islands, it is important to select charts according to both the route and the required scale.

Central Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea

The central Mediterranean includes Sicily, Malta, southern Italy, Tunisia and the approaches to Greece.

The Adriatic Sea introduces another specific navigation environment, bordered by Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Albania.

Important ports and coastal areas include:

• Venice

• Trieste

• Ravenna

• Ancona

• Bari

• Dubrovnik

• Split

• Zadar

• Rijeka

• Kotor

• Durrës

The Croatian coast is particularly complex from a cartographic point of view because of its numerous islands, channels, reefs, shoals and sheltered anchorages.

A broad-scale Shom C chart can be useful for passage planning, but more detailed charts are normally required when approaching the coast, entering channels or navigating near ports and anchorages.

Ionian Sea and Aegean Sea

The Ionian and Aegean Seas are particularly important for cruising and coastal navigation.

The Ionian Sea includes areas around:

• Corfu

• Igoumenitsa

• Patras

• Kefalonia

• Zakynthos

• Lefkada

The Aegean Sea includes:

• Athens

• Piraeus

• the Cyclades

• Rhodes

• Crete

• Heraklion

• Thessaloniki

• Izmir

• Bodrum

• Marmaris

The Aegean is characterised by numerous islands, narrow passages, shoals, reefs, exposed coastlines and sheltered anchorages.

The selection of an appropriate nautical chart scale is therefore particularly important. A broad chart can provide the overall route, while larger-scale charts are required for detailed coastal navigation and approaches.

The Shom catalogue also includes complementary charts covering areas such as the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic Sea.

Sea of Marmara and Turkish Straits

The Sea of Marmara occupies a strategic position between the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea.

Navigation in this area involves the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus. These waterways are of major importance for international maritime traffic and connect the Mediterranean and Black Sea navigation systems.

The principal geographical areas include:

• Dardanelles

• Çanakkale

• Sea of Marmara

• Istanbul

• Bosphorus

• Black Sea approaches

The Turkish Straits require particular attention to traffic, currents, navigation regulations and local conditions.

Detailed charts and appropriate nautical publications should be used when preparing a passage through these restricted waterways.

Black Sea

The Black Sea extends between Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia.

Major ports and navigation areas include:

• Istanbul

• Varna

• Constanta

• Samsun

• Trabzon

• Batumi

• Odesa

The connection between the Mediterranean and Black Sea makes the region particularly important for long-distance cruising and commercial navigation.

The Shom complementary chart catalogue includes, for example, GB2214, covering the Black Sea including Marmara Denizi and the Sea of Azov at a scale of 1:1,200,000. The current Shom metadata identifies this chart as a complementary hardcopy chart, edition 5 dated 5 February 2026.

What information does a Shom nautical chart provide?

A Shom nautical chart is designed to provide the cartographic information required for navigation.

Depending on the chart and scale, this may include:

• Soundings

• Depth contours

• Shoals

• Rocks

• Reefs

• Wrecks

• Buoys and other aids to navigation

• Lights and light characteristics

• Channels

• Navigation marks

• Landmarks

• Ports

• Harbour entrances

• Anchorages

• Maritime installations

• Restricted or regulated areas

• Offshore structures

• Coastal features

The Shom explains that nautical information also includes bathymetry, underwater hazards, coastal topography and buoyage, regulated navigation areas, offshore installations, ports and approaches, tides, currents and new hazards.

The nautical chart is therefore a fundamental navigation document, but it should not be considered a substitute for all other nautical information.

Weather and Mediterranean navigation

Mediterranean navigation is strongly influenced by regional wind systems and local weather patterns.

Depending on the area, sailors may encounter:

• Mistral

• Tramontane

• Libeccio

• Sirocco

• Meltemi

These winds can have a major impact on route planning, sea state and anchorage conditions.

A nautical chart does not provide real-time weather information. It should therefore be used together with current weather forecasts, marine weather information, current predictions and appropriate nautical publications.

Choosing the appropriate scale

Scale is one of the most important factors when selecting a nautical chart.

A smaller-scale chart is useful for:

• Overall route planning

• Offshore passages

• Long-distance navigation

• Crossing the Mediterranean

• Understanding the general geographical context

Larger-scale charts are more appropriate for:

• Coastal navigation

• Harbour approaches

• Channels

• Straits

• Archipelagos

• Islands

• Bays

• Anchorages

• Shoal areas

• Restricted passages

A single chart is therefore rarely sufficient for an entire Mediterranean voyage.

For example, a passage from Marseille to Greece may require broad-scale charts for the offshore route and more detailed charts for the French coast, Italian coast, Adriatic, Ionian Sea and Greek islands.

Differences between Shom C, L, G, Z and Raster

The Shom catalogue also provides digital georeferenced nautical-chart products and other digital representations.

Preparing a Mediterranean voyage

Preparing a Mediterranean voyage requires more than selecting a single nautical chart.

Depending on the route, the navigator may need:

• General Mediterranean charts

• Offshore passage charts

• Coastal charts

• Harbour approach charts

• Strait and channel charts

• Detailed charts of islands and archipelagos

• Sailing directions

• Nautical atlases

• Pilot books and cruising guides

• Tide and current information

• Weather information

• Notices to Mariners

The Shom specifically emphasises that nautical charts and complementary nautical publications form part of a wider system of nautical information and updates.

The Shom's paper chart catalogue allows charts to be selected by geographical area, chart number, route or other criteria, and states that printed Shom charts are distributed through authorised Shom points of sale.

Conclusion

The Shom C Mediterranean nautical chart range covers one of the world's most varied maritime environments, from the French and Spanish coasts to Italy, Greece, Turkey, North Africa and the Black Sea.

These charts are particularly useful for offshore passage planning and for understanding the broader geographical and nautical environment. Depending on the voyage, they can be complemented by larger-scale coastal charts, harbour approach charts, nautical publications and up-to-date navigation information.

For a Mediterranean passage, the correct approach is therefore to select charts according to the route, geographical area and required scale rather than attempting to navigate the entire voyage with a single chart.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Shom C nautical chart for the Mediterranean?

A Shom C is a printed nautical chart, generally supplied flat or rolled, intended for maritime navigation and particularly suitable for offshore passage planning and route preparation.

Which Mediterranean areas can be covered by Shom nautical charts?

Depending on the chart and scale, the coverage can include the Western, Central and Eastern Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea, Aegean Sea, Sea of Marmara and Black Sea.

Which major Mediterranean ports can be found in these areas?

Depending on the chart, the relevant navigation areas include Marseille, Toulon, Nice, Barcelona, Palma, Genoa, Livorno, Cagliari, Palermo, Valletta, Algiers, Tunis, Venice, Trieste, Dubrovnik, Split, Corfu, Athens, Piraeus, Rhodes, Heraklion, Izmir, Istanbul and many other ports.

Can a Shom C chart be used for a Mediterranean crossing?

Yes. The broad-scale Shom C charts are particularly suited to offshore passage planning and to understanding the overall route. More detailed charts are required when approaching coasts, ports, islands, channels or anchorages.

What is the difference between Shom C and Shom L?

Shom C charts are generally flat or rolled and are particularly suited to offshore navigation and passage planning. Shom L charts are folded and easier to handle and store onboard, making them particularly practical for coastal navigation.

What is a Shom G chart?

A Shom G chart is a sedimentological chart providing information about seabed sediments and is particularly relevant to sedimentological, fishing and professional applications.

What is a Shom Z chart?

A Shom Z chart relates to exercise and firing areas and provides specific information concerning regulated or military maritime areas.

What is a Shom Raster chart?

A Shom Raster product is a digital representation of nautical chart information intended for use with compatible digital navigation or mapping software.

Is one nautical chart enough for a Mediterranean voyage?

Generally, no. The required charts depend on the route, distance, navigation environment and scale. Offshore passages, coastal navigation, harbour approaches and detailed areas such as archipelagos or straits normally require different scales.

Why are several scales needed in the Aegean Sea?

The Aegean contains a very large number of islands, channels, shoals, reefs and anchorages. A broad-scale chart is useful for planning the overall passage, while larger-scale charts provide the detail required for navigation close to the coast and between islands.

What should be considered when navigating the Turkish Straits?

Navigation through the Dardanelles, Sea of Marmara and Bosphorus requires particular attention to traffic, currents, navigation regulations and the specific characteristics of these restricted waterways. Appropriate large-scale charts and complementary nautical publications should be consulted.

Does a nautical chart provide weather information?

No. A nautical chart provides geographical and nautical information but does not replace current weather forecasts. Mediterranean navigation should combine chart information with current weather, sea-state, tide and current information.

What complementary documents should be used with a Shom nautical chart?

Depending on the voyage, useful complementary documentation includes sailing directions, nautical atlases, pilot books, tide and current information, weather information and Notices to Mariners.