Shom C Nautical Chart – North Sea and Norwegian Sea

The Shom C nautical chart for the North Sea and Norwegian Sea is a flat paper nautical chart, generally supplied rolled, designed for the preparation and conduct of navigation in the northern waters of Europe. This cartography covers the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, adjacent seas, approaches to Scandinavia, northern sectors of the North Atlantic and, depending on the chart sheet selected, areas close to Greenland, Iceland and the Arctic Ocean.

Published by the French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (Shom), Shom nautical charts provide the hydrographic and navigational information required to prepare a maritime route: soundings, depth contours, hazards, wrecks, rocks, shoals, aids to navigation, lights, channels, regulatory limits, ports, anchorages and principal landmarks.

The Shom C range is particularly well suited to reading on a chart table and to preparing coastal, offshore or long-distance voyages.

Cartography adapted to the North Sea and Norwegian Sea

The North Sea is a particularly busy maritime area. It connects the English Channel and North Atlantic with the coasts of the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Norway. It contains numerous commercial shipping routes, major port areas, channels, traffic separation schemes, offshore installations and areas subject to specific regulations.

The Norwegian Sea extends this maritime area northwards, between the Norwegian coast, the British Isles, Iceland and the Arctic regions. Navigation progressively becomes more exposed to North Atlantic weather conditions, strong winds, swell, poor visibility and, in the most northerly sectors, winter conditions and seasonal ice.

A Shom C nautical chart provides an overall view of the route while accurately locating the principal hydrographic features required for navigation.

Main areas covered

Depending on the Shom chart sheet selected, the charts in this category may cover:

• the North Sea;

• the Norwegian Sea;

• seas adjacent to Norway;

• the Irish Sea and western approaches;

• the Norwegian coastline;

• areas between Trondheim and the North Cape;

• approaches to Greenland;

• parts of the North Atlantic;

• regions close to the Arctic Ocean;

• maritime routes between Scotland, Iceland and Norway.

Some Shom C charts in this area are therefore intended for ocean or offshore navigation, while others allow more detailed preparation of a particular region.

For example, chart 6727C covers the Norwegian Sea and adjacent seas at a scale of 1:4,080,000. Chart 5417C covers the North Atlantic and northern seas at a scale of 1:6,583,500. These scales demonstrate that Shom C charts do not all serve the same purpose: their selection should be related to the planned route and the distance to be navigated.

Navigating in the North Sea

The North Sea is a busy and technically demanding navigation area. Mariners may encounter heavy commercial traffic, offshore platforms, wind farms, regulated areas and heavily used shipping channels.

Routes may connect:

• Dunkirk and Calais;

• Rotterdam and IJmuiden;

• Amsterdam;

• Antwerp via the approaches to the Scheldt;

• Hamburg;

• Esbjerg;

• Aberdeen;

• the Shetland Islands;

• the Danish coast;

• Norwegian ports.

For recreational navigation, a nautical chart can be used to prepare the main route before moving to larger-scale charts for coastal approaches, channels and ports.

Navigating along the Norwegian coast

Norway has a particularly distinctive geographical configuration. Its highly indented coastline includes numerous fjords, archipelagos, islands, passages, channels and sheltered areas.

Among the main ports and navigation points associated with this region are:

• Oslo;

• Stavanger;

• Bergen;

• Ålesund;

• Trondheim;

• Bodø;

• Tromsø;

• Hammerfest;

• the North Cape area.

For coastal navigation in Norway, a large-area chart is generally not sufficient for detailed approach planning. Larger-scale charts become necessary for fjords, channels, archipelagos, anchorages and harbour approaches.

The Shom C chart nevertheless remains useful for planning the overall route and understanding the geographical organization of a long Norwegian voyage.

Navigation between Scotland, Iceland and Norway

The North Sea and Norwegian Sea are also important for navigation between the British Isles, Iceland and Scandinavia.

Routes may pass near:

• the Shetland Islands;

• the Orkney Islands;

• the Scottish coast;

• the Faroe Islands;

• Iceland;

• the Norwegian Sea;

• the Norwegian coast.

These voyages can be subject to rapidly changing weather conditions. Passage planning therefore requires nautical charts to be combined with weather information, sailing directions, current data and appropriate nautical publications.

Information shown on a Shom nautical chart

A Shom C chart provides a structured representation of the maritime environment. Depending on the area and scale, it can identify:

• soundings and depths;

• depth contours;

• shoals;

• isolated dangers;

• wrecks;

• reefs;

• navigable channels;

• aids to navigation;

• lights and their characteristics;

• landmarks;

• ports;

• anchorages;

• certain regulatory limits;

• special areas;

• maritime installations.

This information helps to plan a route, anticipate difficult passages and understand the nautical geography of the area.

Weather conditions in the North Sea

The North Sea and Norwegian Sea are characterized by weather conditions that can change rapidly. Atlantic depressions can produce strong winds, heavy seas and reduced visibility.

In Norway, the configuration of the coastline and fjords can also create local wind effects and localized navigation conditions.

In northern regions, the season, latitude and winter conditions must also be taken into consideration. However, the nautical chart is not a real-time weather information source: it must be used together with current nautical and meteorological information.

Which scale should be chosen?

Choosing the correct scale is essential.

A small-scale chart is suitable for planning a long passage between several countries or regions. It provides an overview of a large part of the route and allows the principal waypoints to be identified.

A larger-scale chart becomes necessary for:

• harbour approaches;

• coastal navigation;

• a fjord;

• an archipelago;

• a channel;

• an anchorage;

• a shoal area;

• a regulated area.

A complete voyage will therefore often require several complementary charts.

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

The Shom C chart is therefore distinguished mainly by its flat, rolled paper format, which is particularly practical for reading on a chart table. The Shom L follows the same basic nautical chart concept but uses a folded presentation. The G chart adds specific information about the seabed. The Z chart identifies exercise and firing areas. The Raster version is intended for digital use with compatible software.

Preparing a voyage in the North Sea and Norwegian Sea

Complete passage planning may combine several levels of documentation:

• general charts for defining the route;

• offshore charts for passages;

• coastal charts for sailing along the coast;

• detailed charts for harbour approaches;

• charts of fjords and channels;

• sailing directions;

• nautical atlases;

• navigation guides;

• weather information;

• current information;

• Notices to Mariners and applicable corrections.

This combination is particularly relevant for navigation involving several countries in Northern Europe.

An international maritime area

The North Sea and Norwegian Sea form an international maritime area. A single route may successively involve French, British, Dutch, German, Danish and Norwegian waters, before continuing towards Iceland or the Arctic regions.

This international dimension explains the importance of structured chart planning: charts should be selected according to the actual route, the scales required and the different hydrographic areas crossed.

For a passage between France and Norway, for example, planning may begin with a general chart of the North Sea, followed by charts appropriate for approaches to the Danish and Norwegian coasts, before using larger-scale charts for fjords and ports.

Conclusion

The Shom C nautical chart for the North Sea and Norwegian Sea is suitable for preparing navigation in the North Atlantic, North Sea, Norwegian Sea and associated northern maritime regions.

It provides an overview of major routes, depths, hazards, aids to navigation, ports, channels and the principal hydrographic features required for passage planning.

The ports of Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Aberdeen, Stavanger, Bergen, Trondheim and Tromsø illustrate the diversity of maritime environments encountered across this extensive region.

For a complete voyage, a single chart will generally not be sufficient: passage planning should combine several scales and, depending on the route, coastal charts, approach charts, nautical publications, atlases and up-to-date nautical and meteorological information.

FAQ – Shom C Nautical Chart for the North Sea and Norwegian Sea

What is a Shom C nautical chart for the North Sea and Norwegian Sea used for?

It is primarily used to plan and visualize a maritime route in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and northern sectors of the North Atlantic covered by the chart.

Which areas are covered by Shom C charts in this category?

Depending on the reference, coverage may include the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, adjacent seas, Norwegian coastline, North Atlantic, Iceland, areas close to Greenland and certain Arctic regions.

Which ports are associated with this maritime area?

Major ports include Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Aberdeen, Stavanger, Bergen, Ålesund, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø and Hammerfest.

What is the difference between a Shom C chart and a Shom L chart?

The Shom C is a flat paper chart, generally supplied rolled, whereas the Shom L is a folded paper chart. Both provide official nautical cartography, but their physical presentation differs.

What is a Shom G chart used for?

A Shom G chart provides additional information concerning the nature and distribution of seabed sediments. It can be particularly useful for fishing and certain professional maritime activities.

What is a Shom Z chart used for?

A Shom Z chart includes a specific overlay identifying the boundaries and designation of military exercise and firing areas used by maritime forces. This information should be considered together with current nautical notices.

What is a Shom Raster chart?

A Shom Raster chart is a digital reproduction of a Shom nautical chart intended for use with compatible charting or navigation software.

Is a Shom C chart sufficient for navigation in Norway?

For a long passage, it can be used to plan the overall route. For coastal approaches, fjords, channels, anchorages and ports, larger-scale charts are generally required.

Why is scale important in the North Sea?

The North Sea contains heavy commercial traffic, shipping channels, shoals, offshore installations and regulated areas. An appropriate scale provides the level of detail required for each stage of navigation.

Are Shom C charts suitable for offshore navigation?

Some Shom C references in this category cover ocean or offshore areas and are suitable for preparing long-distance passages.

Which documents should be used alongside a Shom C chart?

Depending on the planned voyage, it may be useful to supplement the chart with larger-scale coastal and harbour charts, sailing directions, atlases, navigation manuals, weather information and up-to-date nautical notices.