Pilotage Services News

The Laurentian Pilotage Authority (LPA), based in Montreal, Canada, provides pilotage services in Canadian waters in and around the province of Quebec where cold weather can often be an issue for marine operators. So when it came time to order a new pilot boat, the LPA sought a vessel that could stand up to the region’s frigid conditions.The pilots turned to Estonia-based Baltic Workboats for the design and construction of the ice-capable Shipeku, a new 17-meter aluminum pilot…

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has published a Proposed Rule in the Federal Register outlining U.S. Great Lakes pilotage rates for the 2024 shipping season.The new rates seek to generate revenue for each of the three U.S. Great Lakes pilot associations by implementing hourly charges for pilotage services according to geographic area. Pilotage rates are paid by vessel operators serving Great Lakes ports.The Coast Guard proposes to increase the overall cost of U.S. Great Lakes pilotage in 2024 compared to 2023 by $1.9 million or 5%.

UK boat builder Goodchild Marine Services Limited said it is to build a new pilot boat for Portland Harbour Authority in Dorset. The Great Yarmouth based company will construct an ORC 121 for Portland Port; part of broader investment the port is making to enable larger cruise ships and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships to berth alongside. Scheduled to enter service in 2025, the vessel will be the third pilot boat of its class in the Southwest, built and supplied by Goodchild Marine in recent years.Features of this class of vessel include a beak bow hull design with minimal drag…

The Malaysian Port of Tanjung Pelepas is taking the next step on its digitalization journey, tackling congestion and boosting sustainability with a port information management system (PMIS) powered by artificial intelligence (AI).The Port of Tanjung Pelepas, the 15th busiest port in the world, will deploy Innovez One’s MarineM solution to optimize tug and pilot operations, minimizing delays in the first and last mile of its logistics chains, while simultaneously reducing emissions.Innovez One has already provided port management information systems to major global players…

When it came time to replace their 50-year-old station vessel New York, the Sandy Hook Pilots Association thought long and hard, weighing their options to determine the best possible solution. They traveled the country, to Houston, San Francisco and up to the Columbia River, and even to Europe—the Elbe River in Germany and Rotterdam in the Netherlands—to ride with other pilots in search of an answer.“We looked at everything from SWATH (small-waterplane-area twin hull) boats to helicopters to big boats in Europe…

Sanmar Shipyards has delivered another vessel in its Delicay tug series—this time to its own fleet.Like its sister tugs, the the 25.3m x 12m x 6.1m Delicay Vlll is a Z-drive tractor tug built to Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd’s exclusive to Sanmar TRAktor-Z 2500SX design, created in partnership with the Turkish tug-builder and operator for both harbor ship handling and towing duties.Built at Sanmar Shipyards Altinova, the tug is powered by 2x 2100kW main engines, giving it a speed ahead of around 12 knots and 75 tonnes of bollard pull.

A Sandy Hook Pilots Association captain died from injuries suffered during a boarding accident on Wednesday.Capt. Timothy Murray reportedly fell from a pilot ladder while boarding a tanker inbound to the Port of New York & New Jersey at approximately 10:30 p.m., the pilots association said in a statement. Murray was evacuated to a local hospital, where he died from the injuries.The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the incident.The Sandy Hook Pilot Associations provide pilotage services to vessels entering or departing the Port of New York/New Jersey…

The newly elected President of The Nautical Institute, Jillian Carson-Jackson has vowed to help the Institute and wider maritime community meet three important challenges – those of diversity and inclusion, branch engagement and managing the impact of technology.Speaking at today’s Nautical Institute Annual General Meeting she announced a pledge from the Institute on diversity and inclusion saying: “There has been a concerted effort over the past years to raise visibility of not just women, but the overall role of diversity and inclusion in maritime.

Regulatory reform is one of President Trump’s priority agenda items. Upon taking office, the President issued a number of Executive Orders focusing attention and demanding action on the myriad of regulations impacting American businesses.Last May, the reform spotlight fell on maritime regulations when the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), published a Request for Information (RFI) on how the government should “prudently manage regulatory costs imposed on the maritime sector.” OMB…

Port Everglades' largest tenant is urging the Florida Board of Pilot Commissioners to reject a proposed fee increase for harbor pilot services that it says would unfairly raise average pilotage costs more than 100 percent for shipping lines that call frequently at the port.While the proposed fee structure would decrease fees for cruise ships, it would hike the costs for companies that operate frequent-call feeder vessels that sail in and out of Port Everglades, Crowley Maritime Corporation said in a statement.

The Montreal-based Federal Crown Corporation, Laurentian Pilotage Authority (LPA) has contracted with Kongsberg Digital for the supply of three state-of-the-art K-Sim Navigation full mission ship bridge simulators, which will help LPA meet its public mandate through the development of best practices, risk assessments and in-depth incident reviews in support of maritime pilotage.The K-Sim Navigation platform can simultaneously integrate multiple bridges to create a near real-life maritime operational environment wherein LPA personnel can evaluate maneuvering techniques…

As the maritime market steers toward Athens, Greece and Posidonia 2018, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News interviews Panagiotis Kouroumplis, the Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy. As the Minister of Shipping for the country with the largest merchant fleet and a millennia-old maritime tradition, Kouroumplis carries his responsibilities with pride and humility.Born in Aetoloakarnania in 1951, Kouroumplis holds a Law degree and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Athens.

Canada's Arctic is a vast and diverse region that is an integral part of this country. Marine transportation in the Arctic connects Canada to other countries and provides an essential lifeline for northern communities. To uphold the Government of Canada's high standards for marine shipping in the north, Transport Canada has introduced new Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations. The regulations incorporate the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (the Polar Code) into Canada's domestic legislation. The Polar Code addresses the unique hazards encountered by certain vessels that operate in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Scotland based MacDuff Ship Design reports it has had another busy summer and autumn with the delivery of a number of new vessels, work continuing on existing contracts and several new design contracts won. Alongside this has seen the continuation of the companies bureau work in naval architectural consultancy and the steady expansion of MacDuff Marine Surveyors. A new 25.5m Aquaculture Support Vessel has entered service on the West Coast of Scotland having been delivered in September 2017 to owners Inverlussa Marine Services.

Maritime pilots are a strong and essential link in the structure that underpins the safety of international shipping. This was the message delivered by International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim to the 70th meeting of the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) in Rome, Italy (11 April). Addressing an audience that included Italian pilots and Members of Government, Lim spoke about pilots as a vital part of the shipping’s human element – who use their local knowledge to help ships navigate safely into and out of ports or through dangerous waters. He also emphasized that just as pilots have a responsibility for the safety of shipping, so shipping has a responsibility for pilots’ safety.

The Panama Canal Authority (PCA) announced the following new booking and PCSOPEP tariffs for the neopanamax vessels and modifications to other pilot related tariffs, in preparation for the upcoming opening of the neopanamax locks. Elimination of the tariff for Daylight Transit requested with less than 3 days in advanced of reserved date. All requests for daylight transit, if approved, will be assessed Tariff item #1050.0247 ($30000.00). SUBSTITUTIONS BETWEEN A BOOKED VESSEL AND NON-BOOKED VESSEL. These substitutions will not incur a charge provided they are requested at least 14 days in advance of the vessel’s booking date, instead of the previous 30 day requirement.

Classification society Bureau Veritas has issued its first certificate under the ISPO (International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organizations) standard of best practice for pilots and pilot organizations to the Pilotage Authority, Port of Cork, Ireland. The ISPO certification covers the Pilotage services and Vessel Traffic Management System. The ISPO is an accessible industry specific standard, managed by a group of users, that improves safety and quality and provides transparency to shipowners and stakeholders on pilotage standards.

Sydney Ports advises that all pilotage services have been suspended at Port Botany from 0630 hours local time September 23, and at Sydney (Port Jackson) from 0730, due strong winds and high swells of up to 7 meters. Sydney Ports advises that all pilotage services have been suspended at Port Botany from 0630 September 23 , and at Sydney (Port Jackson) from 0730  September 23 due to strong winds and high swells, up to 7 meters. The ports will remain closed until further assessment Early September 24. Newcastle shipping movements are currently restricted pending assessments of conditions. The port remains under “Heavy Harbor Entrance”. All movements are being assessed consecutively, vessels have been able to sail out during today, but some inwards movements have been delayed.

Today, software developer Helm Operations announced that it has signed Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) Canada to its Helm CONNECT Preventive Maintenance software. PPA operates five pilot boats and provides complete pilotage services for all ports on Canada’s west coast including Vancouver and those within the Fraser River. Ekkebus continues, touching on a core element of Helm software’s purpose. Ron deBruyne, CEO and Founder of Helm Operations is proud to have Helm CONNECT serve PPA and says. Helm CONNECT is designed to be intuitive in every way. Helm works closely with workboat personnel when building the product through direct consultation with real life users, like port engineers, crew and shore-based personnel.

Australian marine pilotage company Australian Reef Pilots (ARP) has been bought by a consortium of its employees. ARP, which services shipping through the Great Barrier Reef, has been sold by the private Brisbane-based company Torres Industries to a group of ARP executives and reef pilots, making for a very ‘hands on’ team. ARP CEO Simon Meyjes has led the buyout and said it would be business as usual during the transition. “We know the business and our customers intimately and want to seize the opportunities we can see to grow and expand our services,” Meyjes said.

The International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has issued the following general advice related to the outbreak of Ebola. Vessels that have recently called in an affected country should contact their local agents prior to arrival at the next ports of call for the latest country specific advice regarding measures taken to avoid the spread of Ebola. ARGENTINA: Pilot companies rendering pilotage services in the River Plate have decided that their pilots will not board any vessel coming from the infected areas (Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone) until thirty days since the vessel sailed from last port of the infected areas. BENIN (Port of Cotonou): Vessels must notify the harbour master of the 10 previous ports of call 3 days before ETA.

The US Coast Guard proposes rate adjustments averaging approximately 1.87% for pilotage services on the Great Lakes. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by 1 October. 77 Fed. Reg. 45539 (August 1, 2012). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes rate adjustments for pilotage services on the Great Lakes, which were last amended in February 2012. The proposed adjustments would establish new base rates and are made in accordance with a required full ratemaking procedure. The proposed update reflects changes in benchmark contractual wages and benefits and an adjustment for inflation. This rulemaking promotes the Coast Guard’s strategic goal of maritime safety.

The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), announced changes that will allow the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority to maintain safer and more efficient pilotage services on the Great Lakes. The updated regulations allow the authority to ensure that officers have the local knowledge required to navigate their vessels in the region. "These regulatory changes will improve the safety of people and goods crossing the Great Lakes," said Minister Fletcher. Under the changes to the Great Lakes Pilotage Regulations, and in compliance with thePilotage Act, all Canadian ship officers who operate within the Great Lakes region will be required to hold a valid pilotage certificate.