Criterion<\/th>	PostGIS<\/th>	GeoPackage<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Multi-user<\/td>	✅<\/td>	❌<\/td><\/tr>
Large datasets<\/td>	✅<\/td>	⚠️<\/td><\/tr>
Portability<\/td>	❌<\/td>	✅<\/td><\/tr>
Simplicity<\/td>	⚠️<\/td>	✅<\/td><\/tr>
Deployment<\/td>	Server<\/td>	File<\/td><\/tr>
Offline use<\/td>	❌<\/td>	✅<\/td><\/tr>
Embedded projects<\/td>	❌<\/td>	✅<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 👉 The two approaches do not compete \u2014 they complement each other<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n <\/span>Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n The GeoPackage mode of S57Manager<\/strong> makes ENC data accessible without heavy infrastructure<\/strong>, while preserving:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n ENC semantic richness,<\/li>\n\n\n\n rigorous data structuring,<\/li>\n\n\n\n consistent exploitation in QGIS.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n It naturally complements the PostGIS approach<\/strong>, making S57Manager<\/strong> a versatile tool<\/strong> adaptable to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n institutional environments,<\/li>\n\n\n\n lightweight, mobile or exploratory use cases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A lightweight, autonomous and portable solution for marine data Introduction While PostGIS is ideal for structured, collaborative and multi-project professional environments, it is not always necessary \u2014 nor desirable \u2014 for all use cases. For: the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16151,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3394,1377,3931],"tags":[3985,2717,1995,1349,3987,3989],"class_list":["post-16243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pluigin-en","category-qgis-en","category-s57-en","tag-ecdis-en","tag-enc-en","tag-geopackage-en","tag-postgis-en","tag-s-57-en","tag-s57manager-en"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/S57Manager_postgis_dislay.png?fit=2424%2C1578&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6XU0A-4dZ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16243\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

<\/span>A lightweight, autonomous and portable solution for marine data<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While PostGIS<\/a><\/strong> is ideal for structured, collaborative and multi-project professional environments, it is not always necessary \u2014 nor desirable \u2014 for all use cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
one-off or exploratory studies,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
embedded or mobile projects,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
data exchange between organizations,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
or offline usage,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
the GeoPackage<\/a> (GPKG)<\/strong> format represents a simple, robust and standardized alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we explore the GeoPackage mode of S57Manager<\/a><\/strong>, designed to offer the same level of structuring, control and data exploitation<\/strong> as the PostGIS mode, without any server dependency<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
👉 The plugin automates the processing chain described in the following articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
ENC charts in GeoPackage with QGIS \u2013 Final version: Part 1<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
ENC charts in GeoPackage with QGIS \u2013 Final version: Part 2<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/span>1. Why choose GeoPackage?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
GeoPackage is a widely adopted OGC standard in the GIS ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its key advantages include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
single-file storage,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
OGC standard format,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
portability (USB drive, external disk, cloud),<\/li>\n\n\n\n
versioning capabilities,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
compatibility with QGIS, ArcGIS and GDAL\/OGR<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
👉 It is particularly suitable for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
engineering consultancies,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
field or onboard missions,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
inter-agency data sharing,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
low-connectivity or offline contexts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
👉 In S57Manager, GeoPackage is not a degraded mode<\/strong>:
it follows the same structural principles as PostGIS<\/strong>, adapted to file-based storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/span>2. Configuring GeoPackage mode<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>2.1 Creating or selecting a GeoPackage<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The user defines the working directory used for GeoPackages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The plugin uses four GPKG files<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
`enc.gpkg<\/code> \u2192 main file containing the final result (up to ~260 S-57 tables)<\/li>\n\n\n\n`
three temporary import GeoPackages:\n\npointsENC.gpkg<\/code><\/li>\n\n\n\n linesENC.gpkg<\/code><\/li>\n\n\n\n polysENC.gpkg<\/code><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThese files are used as intermediate steps during the import process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plugin behavior:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nGeoPackages are automatically created<\/strong> if they do not exist;<\/li>\n\n\n\n existing files are reused<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n the enc.gpkg<\/code> file is progressively enriched<\/strong> with each import.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n👉 As with PostGIS mode, the internal structure is fully managed by S57Manager<\/strong>, ensuring consistency and reproducibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n<\/span>2.2 Layer organization<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nData organization follows the same principles as in PostGIS:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \none table per S-57 object class<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n clear separation between point, line and polygon geometries,<\/li>\n\n\n\n consistent naming and attributes across both modes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThis consistency enables:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nsmooth migration between GeoPackage and PostGIS,<\/li>\n\n\n\n easier interpretation by third parties,<\/li>\n\n\n\n reuse of styles and workflows.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n👉 A QGIS project built on GeoPackage can later be migrated to PostGIS<\/strong> without changing layer logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n<\/span>3. ENC \u2192 GeoPackage import<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nENC import into GeoPackage relies on the same processing chain as PostGIS mode<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ndecoding via GDAL \/ OGR,<\/li>\n\n\n\n logical interpretation of S-57 objects,<\/li>\n\n\n\n geometry-based separation,<\/li>\n\n\n\n creation of normalized final tables.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe difference lies only in the storage backend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The plugin guarantees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nidentical logging,<\/li>\n\n\n\n the same validation checks,<\/li>\n\n\n\n no functional loss compared to PostGIS.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n👉 Choosing GeoPackage is therefore an architectural choice<\/strong>, not a compromise on data quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n<\/span>4. Data control and consistency in GeoPackage<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEven with file-based storage, ENC data remains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nstandardized,<\/li>\n\n\n\n semantically rich,<\/li>\n\n\n\n critical from a navigational perspective.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe data checks described in the PostGIS article therefore remain fully applicable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \npresence of expected layers,<\/li>\n\n\n\n geometry validity,<\/li>\n\n\n\n consistency of coded attributes,<\/li>\n\n\n\n overall nautical logic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n👉 QGIS allows most of these checks directly on GeoPackage through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ngeometry validation tools,<\/li>\n\n\n\n expressions and filters,<\/li>\n\n\n\n internal SQL queries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n<\/span>5. Working with ENC layers locally in QGIS<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWorking in QGIS is identical to the PostGIS workflow<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ndisplay by ENC object families<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n filtering by purpose<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n scale-dependent rendering,<\/li>\n\n\n\n nautical-oriented styles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nPerformance is generally very good for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nlimited spatial extents,<\/li>\n\n\n\n single-user workflows,<\/li>\n\n\n\n embedded projects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n👉 GeoPackage enables clear, progressive and coherent cartography<\/strong>, without requiring server infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n<\/span>6. PostGIS \/ GeoPackage comparison<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nCriterion<\/th> PostGIS<\/th> GeoPackage<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Multi-user<\/td> ✅<\/td> ❌<\/td><\/tr> Large datasets<\/td> ✅<\/td> ⚠️<\/td><\/tr> Portability<\/td> ❌<\/td> ✅<\/td><\/tr> Simplicity<\/td> ⚠️<\/td> ✅<\/td><\/tr> Deployment<\/td> Server<\/td> File<\/td><\/tr> Offline use<\/td> ❌<\/td> ✅<\/td><\/tr> Embedded projects<\/td> ❌<\/td> ✅<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n👉 The two approaches do not compete \u2014 they complement each other<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n<\/span>Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe GeoPackage mode of S57Manager<\/strong> makes ENC data accessible without heavy infrastructure<\/strong>, while preserving:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nENC semantic richness,<\/li>\n\n\n\n rigorous data structuring,<\/li>\n\n\n\n consistent exploitation in QGIS.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nIt naturally complements the PostGIS approach<\/strong>, making S57Manager<\/strong> a versatile tool<\/strong> adaptable to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ninstitutional environments,<\/li>\n\n\n\n lightweight, mobile or exploratory use cases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A lightweight, autonomous and portable solution for marine data Introduction While PostGIS is ideal for structured, collaborative and multi-project professional environments, it is not always necessary \u2014 nor desirable \u2014 for all use cases. For: the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16151,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3394,1377,3931],"tags":[3985,2717,1995,1349,3987,3989],"class_list":["post-16243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pluigin-en","category-qgis-en","category-s57-en","tag-ecdis-en","tag-enc-en","tag-geopackage-en","tag-postgis-en","tag-s-57-en","tag-s57manager-en"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/S57Manager_postgis_dislay.png?fit=2424%2C1578&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6XU0A-4dZ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16243\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sigterritoires.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}