Oman
Since an approved chart will be either an official nautical chart or be based on data derived from official nautical charts or other official nautical publications, the approved chart will, at best, be, one step removed from the source data from which the official nautical chart was originally compiled. It could well be an inferior product.
The maintenance of approved charts could prove to be problematic to the national marine safety administration and/or national hydrographic office. The requirement to certify approved charts would place a heavy burden on the national hydrographic office, thereby diverting precious resources away from the production and maintenance of official charts and publications. The introduction of approved charts appears to be of no quantifiable benefit to the mariner.
Oman does not support the Italian Proposal.
Pakistan
The Italian proposal lacks the credibility for acceptance, as publishing and issuing nautical charts/publications is the responsibility of coastal States. In the case of the 'approved' chart, there is no single authority to be held responsible for its authenticity.
Pakistan does not support the Italian proposal.
Portugal
Portugal strongly opposes the Italian Proposal
Russian Federation
It seems inappropriate to introduce additional ten "approved Chart" (proposal by Italy) as charts produced by national Hydrographic Offices are the only official documents for the World Ocean waters. It refers equally to official guides to navigation. Two terms may mislead mariners.
Spain
Nautical services are the responsibility of a coastal State. It is their prerogative to liase or associate with commercial enterprise if they so wish.
"Official" charts do not constitute a monopoly as many commercial companies already produce charts for the small craft community. The "approved" chart will be no better than the "official" but could be less accurate. The maintenance of "approved" has not been clarified.
If a HO is expected to "approve" a chart it will increase its workload and the HO would be expected to assume responsibility for such a chart and its maintenance. The question also arises as to the responsibility for"approved" charts, remaining in use, should the commercial organisation decide to discontinue with them.
Charts with different classifications would create confusion for the mariners.
