Route Export

Menu path
→ → Select Route → Export

Important

Route export to an external medium is performed only in the exchange format *.rtz, ensuring compatibility with other ECDIS and navigational systems.

Export methods

2 route export methods:

Method	Description	Application
1	Export using a removable USB medium	Transfer routes to other vessels or shore-based services
2	Export via network-450	Direct transfer of routes to other ECDIS on the internal integrated bridge network

Method 1: Export to USB medium

Preparation for export

The USB medium must comply with the requirements specified by ECDIS.

Note

The RTZ format includes route parameters: waypoint coordinates, XTD parameters, speeds (minimum, maximum, planned), and event points.

Export procedure

Step 1: Connect the medium

Insert the USB medium into the ECDIS USB port
Mount the medium
Wait for the device to be recognized by the system

Step 2: Select the route and start the export

Action	Interface element
Open the main menu
Go to routes
Select the route	Select Route
Open export functions
Select the device

Step 3: Select the destination device

In the list, select the USB medium to save the route:

Device selection dialog for export

Step 4: Confirm the export

Select the device from the list
Press the “Export” button to start the process
Wait for the write operation to complete

Step 5: Verify the result

After the export is complete:

The system will display a successful completion message
A file with a name in the format Name_timestamp.rtz will appear on the USB medium
timestamp contains the date and time the route was created in ECDIS

To return to the “Routes” window, press Cancel.

Step 6: Verify the exported file

Recommended verification:

Safely eject the USB medium from ECDIS
Connect the medium to any computer
Verify the presence of the route file (*.rtz)
Check the file size (must be greater than 0 bytes)

Warning

It is recommended to verify export results before using the route on other systems. Corrupted files may cause errors during import.

Method 2: Export via network-450

Network export configuration

Route transfer is performed via network-450 to any recipient within the internal bridge network in *.rtz format: other ECDIS units, radars, planning systems.

Important

To transfer routes over the network, the Routes sensor must be configured in ECDIS.

Network export

Selecting recipients and sending

Sequence of actions for network export:

Action	Interface element
Open the main menu
Go to routes
Select the route	Select Route
Open export functions
Select the recipient
Send the route	Send

Selecting route recipients

Select the recipient or recipients of the route on the integrated bridge:

Route recipient selection dialog

Possible recipients:

Backup ECDIS in the bridge system
Radar with RTZ support
Other navigational stations on the bridge network

Note

There may be multiple recipients simultaneously on the integrated bridge. The route will be sent to all selected systems in parallel.

If the route name does not comply with IEC 61162-450 requirements, ECDIS will refuse to transmit the route over the network.

Monitoring the sending process

Viewing the route sending process to recipients:

Action	Interface element
Open the main menu
Go to routes
Open status monitoring
Select Outgoing

Route send status dialog

The Status column shows the route file sending result for each recipient:

Waiting — file transfer is in progress. For large files, transfer may take some time
Received — file has been received
No Response — no response. The receiving station did not receive the file

Transfer quality control

After sending the route:

Check the status of all recipients in the transfer monitor
Verify receipt confirmations from recipients
On errors, repeat the transfer or use an alternative method

Formats and compatibility

RTZ standard (Route Plan Exchange)

Format technical specifications:

Standard: IEC 61174 (Route Plan Exchange Format)
Compatibility: Supported by most modern ECDIS
Encoding: UTF-8 for international characters
Structure: XML-based format

Note

Not exported: user display settings, local interface customizations, personal notes of watch officers.

Export limitations

Technical limitations:

Maximum file size: 10 MB
Only geographic coordinates in the WGS-84 coordinate system are supported
Time zones are saved in UTC

Managing exported routes

Route naming recommendations:

Use clear names indicating the direction
Always name the first and last points of the route
Include the planning date in the name
Avoid special characters in names

Tip

File organization on USB medium:

Create separate folders for each voyage
Group routes by navigation regions
Duplicate critically important routes
Maintain a text file describing the contents

Troubleshooting

Typical export problems

Problem	Cause	Solution
USB not recognized	Medium or port malfunction	Replace the medium/port
File write error	Insufficient space or write protection	Free up space, remove protection
File not created	Errors in route data	Check the route for errors
Network transfer not working	Sensor configuration issues	Check the “Routes” sensor settings
Recipient not responding	Target system unavailability	Check the network connection

Problem diagnosis

After an unsuccessful export:

Check the system log for errors
Verify the correctness of route data
Check free space on the target device
Retry the export to a different device
Contact the system administrator for recurring problems

Integration with other systems

ECDIS compatibility

Supported systems:

NSR ECDIS NES-3000 (full compatibility)
Modern ECDIS (RTZ standard)
Radar
Shore-based vessel traffic management systems