Abstract. This article discusses the possibilities of processing and preparing maps for the publication of bathymetric maps, which allows us to significantly change the traditional approaches in the field of preparing maps for publication, laid down in the 70s and 80s of the last century. This provides a new approach to create the basis for the regulatory and technological base of production. To complete the tasks, it is necessary to complete the main stages of work: - to study the main provisions of the guiding documents in the field of hydrography and marine cartography; - to analyze the existing hydrographic data; - to study the basic methods of converting bathymetric data; - to improve technological processes: - convert analog data to digital form; - create a database of bathymetric data for the water area; - generate digital models of the bottom relief for a given water area; - prepare maps for publication using GIS technologies. The article focuses on the technology of creating a database of bathymetric data, as one of the main components in the formation of basic marine geospatial data and mechanisms for constructing bathymetric models of the bottom relief, the development of hypsometric scales of the bottom of water areas, the production of color samples according to the test in the preparation of bathymetric maps for publication.