In a major boost for maritime safety and trade, Nigeria has deployed three state-of-the-art Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) for the Calabar-Bakassi channel. Validated by the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts (IC-ENC), the new charts will enhance navigation, support the anticipated increase in vessel traffic, and prepare the nation for the upcoming Bakassi Deep Seaport.
The charts – NG455150 (Jamestown), NG525190 (Queenstown to Ikot Abasi), and NG542550 (Ports of Calabar), are set to improve marine transportation and safety along this strategic waterway. With these charts, Nigeria will no longer need to seek clearance from Cameroon for vessels navigating the channels, marking a significant step toward maritime autonomy.
The National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) announced that all vessels traversing Nigeria’s eastern coastal approaches up to the inner port limits can now rely entirely on these locally produced ENCs. The charts provide a comprehensive digital overview, detailing water depths, seabed features, navigational hazards, aids to navigation, and port infrastructure, essential tools for safe and efficient passage to Calabar and the future Bakassi Deep Seaport.
Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NHA, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode, explained that the charts were produced following a high-resolution survey of the Calabar-Bakassi axis, conducted to international standards comparable to IHO S-44 Order 1 for busy approaches and harbor entrances.
“The survey officially began on 21 December 2024, with intensive data collection starting on 6 January 2025. The project combined hydrographic, geophysical, and geotechnical measurements using advanced NHA survey and processing capabilities.
“The sea is our largest unexplored resource, and if we don’t map it, we cannot manage it effectively”, Olugbode said.
He noted that producing these critical navigational charts not only enhances safety in Nigerian waters but also supports the sustainable development of the nation’s blue economy. Chart production for Lagos, Calabar and the Bonny axis is part of NHA’s phased mapping strategy, prioritizing key maritime corridors.
To date, over 85,325 square kilometers of Nigeria’s maritime domain have been mapped, with the Calabar sector serving as a vital link in a broader ENC network designed to reduce navigational risks for ships accessing Nigerian ports.
The newly released ENCs replace older legacy charts, offering modern, digitally integrated information compatible with global ENC networks and giving mariners up-to-date guidance for safe navigation.
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