Australian Hydrographic Office

As part of its strategic plan and ongoing digital transformation, the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) identified the need to modernise its online presence. Morpht worked with the AHO to deliver a contemporary website that strengthens access to maritime information and resources, while supporting the needs of mariners and industry stakeholders through an improved online experience.

Overview

Drupal 11 | Convivial GovCMS  | Migrations | Web development

The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) provides Australia's national charting service under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and the Navigation Act 2012 (Cth). The AHO relies on its public website to provide products, services and information to the maritime community in Australia and internationally.

The previous website was built on ageing technology and no longer met contemporary accessibility and digital service expectations. The AHO engaged Morpht to develop a modern website using GovCMS that aligns with accessibility requirements and the Australian Government Digital Experience Standard, including WCAG 2.0 compliance.

Visit the site

AHO website screenshots

The challenge

The previous AHO website had been in place for more than 10 years and had become increasingly difficult to maintain and improve. Accessing hydrographic updates, spatial datasets and safety information often required users to navigate a large number of static web pages, making it challenging to locate information efficiently.

The website was also responsible for delivering substantial volumes of operational content, including Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) files and Notices to Mariners (NtM) publications. These resources support significant levels of user traffic and regular downloads.

The AHO required a modern digital platform that could continue to support these operational needs while providing a consistent and professional online presence across its public services.

The Solution

To support the development of the new website, Morpht used the Convivial for GovCMS site accelerator, helping ensure accessibility requirements were considered from the outset.
Given the website's file download requirements, the project team engaged with GovCMS early in the process to confirm the platform could support the expected demand. Performance optimisation was also undertaken to improve access for users in a range of operating environments, including mariners accessing information while at sea.

AHO website screenshots on hand held devices

Discovery

A series of discovery workshops were conducted with AHO stakeholders to better understand the purpose of the website, its audiences, and their information needs.
These workshops informed a review of the site's information architecture and navigation. The resulting recommendations helped create a structure that better supports user journeys while meeting organisational requirements.

Showcasing AHO's menu on a macbook

Content modelling

Insights gained during discovery informed the development of the website's content model. Nine content types were identified and implemented to support the AHO's information and publishing requirements.
This included a dedicated content type for Australian Notices to Mariners (NtM), which are used to update nautical charts and publications issued by the AHO. The solution enables users to more easily access edition-specific downloads and related information, including tracings, supplements and cumulative lists.

Australian Notices to Mariners page on Imac

Publications and Resources

Publications are a key communication channel for the AHO and provide important information to mariners and the broader community.
These resources include products such as the Australian National Tide Tables and AusTides, which provide information for more than 90 primary ports and around 700 secondary ports across Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Antarctica and Timor-Leste.
Ensuring users could locate these resources quickly and easily was an important consideration throughout the project.

AHO Resource library on an iPad

Design

The design approach aimed to reflect the AHO's role as a trusted provider of hydrographic information and services. The website balances maritime and geospatial content with a focus on clarity, usability and accessibility.
The visual design aligns with the AHO's brand identity, supporting consistency across digital communication channels while providing a distinctive online presence.
Accessibility and compliance requirements were considered throughout the design process, helping ensure users can access information and publications regardless of their needs or circumstances.

AHO home page with latest news on macbook

The outcome

The new website provides the AHO with a modern and flexible platform for delivering information, products and services online. Improvements to navigation, content structure and the publications framework make it easier for users to find and access key information. Mariners can more readily locate chart corrections, Notices to Mariners (NtM) downloads and supporting publications, helping them access important navigational updates and safety information when needed. The project has strengthened the AHO's digital presence while providing a foundation for future improvements and ongoing service delivery.

testimonial icon

The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) partnered with Morpht to deliver its new website in a condensed project schedule. Building on more than 18 months of user research, stakeholder engagement and planning undertaken by the AHO, Morpht worked closely with our team to transform those insights into a modern, user-focused website. Their expertise, professionalism and collaborative approach ensured the project was delivered successfully while meeting the Australian Government Digital Experience Standard and supporting the rollout of the AHO's refreshed brand identity.

Morpht were able to quickly understand our requirements and translate extensive research into a practical, high-quality digital solution fit for our users. The result is a responsive, accessible and future-ready website that better serves the maritime community. 

Australian Hydrographic Office

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