There is an issue with ECDIS software upgrades and many ships will not be upgraded by the IMO deadline. The enclosed ‘Note to Inspectors’, summarises the issue and the action required by inspectors.
In summary, any ECDIS that does not have the software upgrade is not in compliance with SOLAS. Dispensation letters are being issued indicating that without the software upgrade, the vessel must revert back to paper charts and the ECDIS cannot be used for navigation or passage planning.