BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Wednesday, 19 August 2026 — Two officers from the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) participated in the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) Data Deliverables Workshop, held from 17 to 19 August 2026 in Bandar Seri Begawan.
The three-day workshop focused on enhancing the knowledge and understanding of hydrographic data and its critical role in supporting maritime safety, secure navigation, and the effective management of the maritime domain. The event provided participants with an opportunity to further appreciate how accurate, reliable, and appropriately managed hydrographic information contributes to safer maritime activities.
Discussions during the sessions highlighted the importance of hydrographic survey data and the application of recognised standards in hydrographic surveying. The collection, processing, quality assurance, and delivery of hydrographic data are essential to ensuring that the maritime information used by mariners and relevant authorities remains accurate, consistent, and fit for its intended purpose.
The programme further emphasised that hydrographic information is not solely relevant to navigation; it also supports a broader range of activities. These include maritime planning, coastal management, marine infrastructure development, environmental monitoring, maritime security, and emergency response. Consequently, the availability of high-quality maritime data plays a vital role in enhancing situational awareness and promoting safety at sea.
Furthermore, the workshop served as a platform for strengthening professional knowledge and fostering greater awareness of the importance of hydrography among key stakeholders. It highlighted opportunities for increased cooperation through a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach, bringing together government agencies, industry stakeholders, and other national entities involved in maritime information and safety.
The RBN’s participation in the workshop reflects its continued commitment to strengthening national hydrographic capabilities, enhancing the quality and utilisation of maritime data, and supporting efforts to ensure safe, secure, and sustainable maritime activities in Brunei Darussalam.
Additionally, the workshop provided an excellent avenue to strengthen the existing cooperation and professional engagement between Brunei Darussalam and the United Kingdom in the fields of hydrography and maritime safety, thereby contributing to the continuous development of national expertise in support of Brunei Darussalam’s maritime interests.
