Pilots Services

⚓ Pilot Services: Precision, Safety and Innovation in Port Access

Pilot services are among the most critical and skilled maritime operations, ensuring the safe entry, manoeuvring, and departure of vessels in port waters. Pilots provide expert local knowledge of depths, currents, berthing techniques, and navigational constraints, guiding ships—often massive and with limited manoeuvrability—through confined and dynamic environments.

It is a demanding and high-risk profession: pilots must often board vessels in challenging sea conditions, climb pilot ladders, and operate under time pressure. Their role is essential to prevent groundings, collisions, or damage to port infrastructure and the environment.

Traditionally, pilots embark aboard vessels to give direct navigational advice to the captain. However, technological innovation is reshaping this service. Trials in several ports have tested shore-based pilotage, supported by real-time data, remote sensors, AIS, radar, and augmented reality systems. While not yet widely adopted, these systems could allow pilots to support or even guide operations from land-based control centres, improving safety in adverse conditions and enabling pilotage-as-a-service in digitally advanced ports.

Regulation of pilotage services varies globally. In some countries or ports, pilotage is directly managed by the port authority as a public service; in others, it is licensed to private operators through competitive tenders or concession models, under strict state supervision. Internationally, pilotage is governed by principles outlined by IMO Resolution A.960, which stresses safety, training, and coordination with ship masters and port control systems.

In many countries, pilotage is compulsory for vessels over a certain size or type. The service must be available 24/7, requiring robust organisation, trained personnel, and coordination with towage, mooring, VTS, and terminal operations.

In short, pilot services are a linchpin of port safety and efficiency. As ports evolve toward digital and autonomous systems, pilots remain irreplaceable—combining technical expertise, situational judgement, and local knowledge that no algorithm can replicate.