IMO takes steps to ensure ECDIS manufacturers publish information about software updates for older systems.

The manufacturers of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems) equipment are to publish information on the latest versions of the software used to operate their equipment, in order to help clarify certain anomalies that had been identified with some older systems.

This was the principal outcome of a meeting hosted by the IMO Secretariat earlier this week (11 September 2012) to discuss ways to address the matter.

The information is to be posted on the website of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and will include links to enable ships to download the latest versions of the operating software, if necessary. The ECDIS manufacturers also agreed to work with national Maritime Administrations to address the issue in the long term.  

This is the latest in a number of positive steps taken by IMO, IHO, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and others to address this issue, on which IHO held a workshop earlier this year. The participation of eighteen OEMs attending this meeting highlighted the willingness of the manufacturers to address proactively the issues involved.