The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
Annual Report and Accounts for 2023 to 2024
This report issued in July contains a performance review, outlining how the organisation has performed against its corporate plan; financial statements for the financial year 2023 to 2024; a corporate governance report; and a sustainability report detailing initiatives and commitments to achieve Net Zero.
The report also includes a number of case studies that showcase the organisation’s work to deliver safe maritime navigation.
A copy at 76-pages (7.66MB) may be downloaded by means of the link here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bcc15c3effd5b79ba490b1/UKHO_AR_2023-24.pdf
The UKHO is an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence and a trading fund, meaning it operates as a self-funded organisation at no additional cost to the taxpayer. This paper, the Annual Report and Accounts, was laid before the UK Parliament in response to a legislative requirement or as a Return to an Address and was ordered to be printed by the House of Commons (the UK’s lower house).
Over 90% of large ships trading internationally are said to rely on the UK’s ADMIRALTY portfolio to support safe, efficient and compliant global trade.
The UKHO’s experts, in partnership with a range of organisations worldwide, source, process and publish hydrographic and marine geospatial data from seabed to surface and beyond.
UKHO represents the UK Government internationally as an authority on hydrography and bathymetry. As part of its Public Task, it fulfils the UK’s Safety
of Life at Sea (SOLAS) obligations, advises on policy matters and helps to set and raise standards worldwide. This effort includes vital support to the Royal Navy and all UK defence vessels, from surface ships to submarines, which rely on its products, services and information for safe navigation and operations.
UKHO is committed to promoting hydrography’s role in addressing global
challenges and ensuring the safe and responsible use of the oceans today and
for generations to come.
World Hydrography Day
A few weeks earlier referencing this year’s World Hydrography Day theme of ‘for safer, more efficient, and sustainable marine activities’, UK National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh speaking at IMO highlighted the importance of marine data across all aspects of the maritime sphere. These include supporting safety and security and unlocking new efficiencies in seaborne trade to deliver on the shared sustainability commitments, including the IMO’s decarbonisation goals.
He concluded by encouraging everyone to play their part to raise awareness of the importance of hydrography and to work together to make maritime activities ‘even safer, even more efficient, and even more sustainable’.
Rapporteur: Paul Ridgway
