The International Maritime Pilots’ Association (Impa) has partnered with the Canadian National Centre of Expertise on Maritime Pilotage (NCEMP) and the Canadian Coast Guard to explore the feasibility, readiness, and impacts of remote pilotage on safe navigation practices and systems.
This study aims to provide authoritative insights into the current and potential use of remote pilotage on conventional ships and those that might be navigated remotely in the future, according to an Impa statement.
The International Maritime Organization has recognised the importance of employing qualified, licensed pilots on board ships in areas where pilotage services would contribute to the safety of navigation more effectively than other measures, including in ports and other areas where specialised knowledge is essential.
“Countries rely on the expertise and local knowledge of maritime pilots to ensure the safe and efficient movement of ships in compulsory pilotage areas where marine navigation conditions are most challenging,” the association said.
“Maritime pilots play a vital role in ensuring that shipping does not negatively impact coastal communities and the economic, social and environmental interests of nations relying on maritime trade,” it said.
The association said it considered it critically important that any concept that could impact compulsory pilotage practices and systems, including remote pilotage, be carefully examined and assessed.
Impa president, Captain Simon Pelletier, said the rise in the number of people in the maritime industry talking about remote navigation and pilotage had made it necessary for the association to conduct a “rigorous, objective analysis” to help pilots’ organisations, competent authorities, and the industry make informed decisions.
“Providing authoritative, evidence-based guidance to support objective decision-making in maritime pilotage is key to ensuring the continued safety of marine navigation. It is part of the reason Impa exists,” Pelletier said.
Canadian Coast Guard Commissioner, Mario Pelletier, said the coast guard was at the forefront of innovation in navigation.
“We support Canada's economic growth through the safe and efficient movement of maritime trade. The collaboration with Impa and the NCEMP will help us understand what role new technologies regarding remote navigation and autonomy might play in the future and how the coast guards around the globe must adapt to meet the evolving needs of mariners,” Pelletier said.
NCEMP executive director, Captain Alain Arseneault, said remote navigation trials had different motivations, reflected different realities, and used various operational solutions.
“A lot is being said about remote pilotage, but ensuring that aspirations and technological solutions do not get ahead of navigation safety is in everyone’s interests. We need clear, evidence-based and authoritative guidance, not just in Canada but in other jurisdictions as well,” he added.
The project brings together the knowledge and experience of maritime pilots from more than 50 countries who conduct over two million acts of pilotage annually, combined with other operational, academic and advisory expertise. It will study pilotage as a sociotechnical system and the impact of any new protocols on risk, cost-effectiveness, and social acceptance.
The findings of previous shore-based pilotage projects will also be considered, and researchers will seek to validate insights uncovered by the project with trials of technology and protocols on conventionally navigated ships, principally in Canada.
