Power Your App with Official Nautical Charts
A native iOS SDK for seamless ENC integration. High-performance S-57 rendering, global data coverage, and full compliance with international maritime standards.
Build Mobile Navigation Apps with Official Nautical Charts
Siitech Marine provides an iOS Chart SDK and licensed nautical chart data for mobile navigation application developers. Our platform enables developers to integrate official hydrographic vector charts into iOS apps and distribute them securely to end users.
This page outlines who the platform is intended for, how the process works, and the steps required to get started.
Who This Is For
Our developer program is designed for teams and companies that:
- Develop mobile navigation applications for iOS
- Plan to commercialize or distribute nautical charts within their apps
- Require official hydrographic data with regular updates
- Intend to license chart data for defined geographic coverage
Typical partners include:
- Mobile navigation app developers
- Marine software companies
- Specialized boating and maritime application providers
Who This Is Not For
To avoid misunderstandings, our platform is not intended for:
- Individual hobby projects or experiments
- Student or academic projects without a commercial roadmap
- Open-source chart redistribution
- Consumer or end-user support inquiries
Siitech Marine does not develop or operate consumer navigation applications.
How Onboarding Works
-
Initial Inquiry
Begin by submitting the developer contact form. We request basic information about your application, intended use, and target regions. -
Review and Alignment
Each inquiry is reviewed to ensure alignment with the platform, licensing requirements, and Hydrographic Office policies. -
SDK Access
Developers receive access to the iOS Chart SDK, documentation, and integration guidelines. The SDK is provided free of charge as a technical enablement tool for licensed chart data distribution. -
Chart Licensing
Before going live, official chart data is licensed based on geographic coverage. Chart access is provided under a subscription model and includes regular official updates. -
Go Live
Once chart licensing is in place, charts can be securely delivered to end users through Siitech Marine’s distribution infrastructure, with offline use supported within the app.
Commercial Model (Important)
- The SDK itself is not licensed for revenue
- Revenue is generated through chart data subscriptions
- Chart pricing is based on geographic coverage (e.g. USD$5 per country)
- Active subscriptions include official chart updates during the subscription period
This model minimizes integration friction while supporting sustainable and compliant chart distribution.
Technical Expectations
Developers should be prepared to:
- Integrate an iOS SDK into a production application
- Implement secure licensing and access controls
- Manage chart downloads and updates within their app
- Provide first-line support to their own end users
Standard documentation and reasonable integration guidance are provided.
Ready to Get Started?
If your application aligns with the above, we invite you to contact us.
👉 Request developer access via the Contact Us page
All inquiries are reviewed, and a member of our team will follow up by email where appropriate.
SDK Overview
The SiiTech Marine ENC SDK for iOS enables the display of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) within iPhone and iPad applications. It provides a high-performance rendering engine and simplifies the handling, presentation, and updating of ENC data for mobile navigation apps.
The SDK loads, manages, and displays S-57 compatible charts using the SCD chart format. The core rendering engine is implemented as a C++ library, with integration support for C++, Objective-C, and Swift, allowing flexible adoption within modern iOS applications.
Key Capabilities
Support for SCD chart products compatible with:
- ENC 2.0 (S-57 Edition 3.1.1)
- Inland ENC charts
Worldwide chart distribution via the SiiTech Marine ENC Hosting Service, covering 45+ countries
Compliance with:
- IHO S-52 Presentation Library
- Inland Presentation Standards 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3
Fine-grained control of presentation parameters and object / feature filtering
Day, Dusk, and Night display modes
Support for additional data overlays, including:
- Raster layers
- Tide & Current data
- Points of Interest (POI)
- AIS data
- Survey and bathymetric data
Intended Use
The SDK is designed for professional maritime and inland navigation iOS applications that require:
- Reliable ENC rendering
- Compliance with international presentation standards
- Secure chart distribution and updates
The SDK is provided as an integration tool for licensed chart data distribution within mobile navigation applications.
Supported Standards
ENC SDK for iOS supports internationally recognized chart data and presentation standards suitable for professional maritime and inland navigation applications.
The SDK supports the following specifications:
IHO Standards
- IHO S-52 Presentation Library
- IHO S-57 (Edition 3.1.1)
EU Inland ECDIS Standards
- Inland ECDIS Standard 2.2
- Inland ECDIS Standard 2.3
ENC SDK for iOS is not an ECDIS and does not claim compliance with SOLAS, IMO Performance Standards, or IEC ECDIS standards. Any internal alignment with additional standards is provided for technical consistency only and is not presented as formal certification.
Development Environment Requirements
This section describes the requirements for the developer build environment used to integrate and build applications with ENC SDK for iOS. These requirements apply to the developer’s macOS system and do not apply to end-user iPhone or iPad devices.
Development Environment
Operating System:
- macOS 11.4 or later
Development Tools:
- Xcode 12.5.1 or later
Hardware Requirements:
- Minimum 16 GB RAM (32 GB or more recommended)
- Disk space sufficient for Xcode, build artifacts, and test chart datasets
(When testing with large multi-country chart datasets, up to approximately 128 GB of free disk space may be recommended.)
Supported Devices:
- iPhone
- iPad
Runtime/ End-User Requirements
Operating System
- iOS 14.5 or later
Supported Devices
- iPhone
- iPad
Storage
- Storage requirements depend on the selected chart coverage and regions
Offline Operation
- Offline use is supported after charts have been downloaded to the device
Next-Generation Chart Standards (S-100 & S-101)
Siitech Marine is actively working toward support for the IHO S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model and the upcoming S-101 Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) standard.
S-101 is the next generation of official ENC data that will gradually complement and, over time, replace the existing S-57 standard. It is designed to enable richer data content, improved visualization, and integration with additional maritime information layers.
While S-57 remains the primary ENC standard in operational use today, S-101 datasets are beginning to emerge from selected Hydrographic Offices as part of the global transition.
Siitech Marine’s platform and Chart SDK architecture are being developed to support:
- Continued full support for official S-57 ENC data
- Seamless adoption of S-101 ENCs as they become available
- Future integration of additional S-100-based products
This ensures long-term compatibility and a smooth evolution toward next-generation hydrographic data standards.
Pricing
Transparent Pricing for Mobile Navigation Applications
Siitech Marine’s commercial model is designed to remove integration friction for developers while ensuring proper licensing and protection of official hydrographic data.
Revenue is generated through chart data subscriptions, not through SDK licensing.
iOS Chart SDK
The iOS Chart SDK is provided free of charge to mobile navigation application developers as an integration tool for licensed chart data distribution.
The SDK includes:
- Access to the iOS Chart SDK
- Documentation and integration guidelines
- Ongoing SDK updates
- Reasonable integration guidance
The SDK itself is not licensed as a commercial product and is not a revenue source.
Chart Data Subscriptions
Official nautical chart data is licensed under a subscription model, based on geographic coverage.
Subscription characteristics:
- Pricing based on country-level coverage
- Full national coverage per licensed country
- Official chart updates included during the active subscription period
- Secure delivery via SiiTech Marine’s chart distribution infrastructure
- Offline use supported within licensed mobile applications
Chart data remains subject to the licensing terms and copyright requirements of the originating Hydrographic Offices.
Additional Data Services
Optional data services may be licensed separately, subject to availability and applicable terms:
- AIS Data
- Tide & Current Data
- Points of Interest (POI)
- Survey and bathymetric data
Availability, coverage, and pricing for additional data services depend on region and intended use.
Important Notes
- Siitech Marine does not charge licensing fees for SDK usage
- Commercial terms apply only to licensed data products
- We do not provide consumer or end-user application support
- The platform is designed exclusively for mobile navigation applications serving recreational and non-SOLAS vessels
- For SOLAS-compliant ECDIS chart services, please visit Siitech Marine’s official chart distribution platform at https://siitechmarine.com/
Get in Touch
For chart licensing, data services, or integration inquiries, please contact Siitech Marine using the contact form.
All inquiries are reviewed. If relevant, a member of our team will follow up by email.
Developer FAQ
Yes.
The iOS Chart SDK is provided free of charge to qualified mobile navigation application developers as a technical integration tool. It enables you to integrate and distribute licensed chart data within your applications. Siitech Marine does not charge for SDK access.
Chart data subscriptions — not the SDK.
Official nautical chart data is licensed under a subscription model based on geographic coverage. Subscriptions include official chart updates during the active term.
If you would like to receive updates on licensing or pricing, please contact us via the Contact Form.
Yes — reasonable integration guidance and documentation are included with SDK access.
Siitech Marine provides support to help with SDK integration and basic questions. Custom consulting, unlimited help, or project-specific development services are not included by default.
If you need enhanced support or services, please contact us via the Contact Form.
Yes.
You can integrate and test the Chart SDK during development and evaluation. Licensing of official chart data is required only when you are ready to distribute charts to end users or release the application.
If you want to receive a notification when your selected chart regions are ready for licensing, please contact us.
The SDK is intended for:
- ✔ Mobile navigation application developers (iOS)
- ✔ Marine software companies building iOS navigation applications
It is not intended for:
- ✘ Hobby or experimental projects
- ✘ Academic projects without a commercial roadmap
- ✘ Open-source chart redistribution
- ✘ Consumer or end-user support inquiries
No.
Siitech Marine does not develop or operate consumer navigation applications. Official charts are accessed through third-party partner apps that integrate the SDK.
No.
Siitech Marine’s chart data and SDK are intended exclusively for recreational and non-SOLAS mobile navigation applications. They are not certified for ECDIS or SOLAS-regulated navigation systems.
For SOLAS-compliant ECDIS chart services, please refer to Siitech Marine’s official chart distribution platform at https://siitechmarine.com
Begin by submitting a request through the Contact page with details about your application, intended use, and target regions.
If your project is a good fit, a member of our team will follow up with next steps.
Yes.
Chart data is licensed on a 12-month subscription basis at a fixed price of USD $5 per country per year (full national coverage), including official updates during the subscription term.
We are currently working on an Android Chart SDK and plan to release it by the end of 2026.
If you would like updates or early access opportunities, please contact us via the Contact Form.
Yes.
We provide a Chart SDK for Windows. If you would like to try it or get more information, please contact us via the Contact Form.
Not yet. We plan to release a Linux Chart SDK in 2027.
If you are interested in future availability or would like updates, please contact us via the Contact Form.