IEC 63173-1-2021 PDF

Full title and description

Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems - Data interfaces - Part 1: S-421 route plan based on S-100. This international standard specifies an S-100‑compliant product specification for an exchangeable route plan (S-421), including the content, structure and required metadata and guidance for portrayal within S-100 based applications.

Abstract

IEC 63173-1:2021 defines a data format (an S-100 product specification assigned the number S-421 by the IHO) for exchanging route plan information between maritime systems. The document covers data content, structure, metadata and portrayal considerations for route plans intended for information exchange and interoperable use in S-100-based applications; it does not define vessel monitoring/logging formats and only includes limited static vessel information.

General information

• Status: International Standard — published / current.
• Publication date: 16 June 2021.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 47.020.70 (Navigation and control equipment).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2021).
• Number of pages: 247 pages (base IEC publication).

Scope

This part of IEC 63173 specifies an S-100-compliant product specification for a route plan intended for exchange of information between maritime systems. It specifies the content, structure and metadata required to create fully S-100‑compliant route plan information and provides guidance for portrayal within S-100 applications. The IHO manages numbering for S-100 product specifications and has assigned S-421 to this route plan specification. The document is limited to the route plan data format and does not define formats for vessel monitoring or logging, which are expected to be provided by other mechanisms or standards.

Key topics and requirements

• S-100 product specification for route plans (S-421): data model and feature catalogue.
• Required metadata and conformance rules to ensure S-100 compliance and interoperability.
• Structure and content of route plan exchanges, including allowed route features and attributes.
• Portrayal guidance for rendering route plan information within S-100‑based applications.
• Inclusion of limited vessel static information relevant to the route plan; fuller vessel static data should be obtained via other mechanisms (e.g., AIS).
• Interoperability emphasis for shipboard and shore systems exchanging route plan data.

Typical use and users

Designed for implementers and stakeholders in the maritime domain: ECDIS and maritime navigation system vendors, maritime software developers, hydrographic offices and national hydrographic services, port authorities, ship operators and system integrators who need a standardised route plan exchange format compatible with IHO S-100. It is used where interoperable exchange and consistent portrayal of route plans between ship and shore or between onboard systems is required.

Related standards

Closely related to IHO S-100 (the geospatial framework for modern nautical data) and the IHO-assigned product specification number S-421 (route plan). It is part of the IEC 63173 series on maritime data interfaces; Part 2 of the series addresses secure ship–shore communication (SECOM) and complementary interfaces for exchanging S-100 based products. Implementers will often combine IEC 63173-1 with SECOM (IEC 63173-2) and other S-100 product specifications for full operational deployments.

Keywords

S-100, S-421, route plan, maritime data interface, ECDIS, route exchange, IHO product specification, IEC 63173, maritime interoperability, portrayal, metadata.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 63173-1:2021 is an international standard that defines an S-100‑based product specification (S-421) for exchanging maritime route plans between systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the content, structure, metadata and portrayal guidance necessary to create S-100‑compliant route plan information for exchange; it does not define vessel monitoring/logging formats and only contains limited static vessel information.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: ECDIS and navigation-system manufacturers, maritime software developers, hydrographic offices, port authorities, ship operators and integrators who require interoperable route plan exchange and consistent portrayal in S-100 environments.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 63173-1:2021 is the first edition published in 2021 and is listed as the current IEC base publication (stability date shown to 2026). Users should check national adoptions or the IEC webstore for any amendments or revisions after 2021.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the IEC 63173 series (data interfaces). Part 2 addresses secure ship–shore communication (SECOM) and other parts in the series address complementary data interface topics.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: S-100, S-421, route plan, maritime data interface, interoperability, portrayal, metadata, IEC 63173, ECDIS.