Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs)

These static maps represent the electronic charts of inland waterway navigation (CENI or IENC in English) on the Walloon territory.

An electronic inland navigation chart (CENI or IENC for Inland Electronic Navigation Chart) is a vector map that contains all important information and material data useful for navigation on inland waterways. It makes it possible to view in real time, on a screen, the various information concerning navigation, namely at least:
- the shoreline;
- works on the banks;
- the contours of locks and dams;
- the limits of the navigable channel;
- points submerged or overlooking the navigable channel presenting an isolated danger, such as bridges and overhead lines;
- buoys, beacons, light signals and traffic signs;
- the axis of the waterway with kilometre and hectometric indication.

The aim of the IENC maps is to improve traffic safety, the efficiency of inland navigation, to reduce the workload associated with the operation of the vessel, to calculate routes and to provide sailors with up-to-date information on places and aids to navigation.

These maps are available and searchable via the Inland ECDIS (Electronic Chart and Display Information System) standard and visualization system. ECDIS meets International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards and is considered by the European Directive on Harmonized River Information Services on Inland Waterways in the Community (RIS Directive).

To be able to use these maps, the user must have an ECDIS viewer reading the IENCs that comply with the latest standards (see associated resources - RIS portal). A GPS receiver must be connected to the computer to automatically display the position of the boat on the map.