Shipping Associations, Danish Maritime Authorities Join Forces

In the wake of IMO resolution MSC.138(76) recommending the use of pilot for ships navigating through the entrances to the Baltic Sea, international shipping associations and Danish maritime authorities have joined forces to find ways to further enhance the safety of navigation through the entrances to the Baltic Sea. This will be accomplished by an open transparent dialogue between pilotage service providers and users, in order to ensure optimal pilotage services in general and to encourage the use of pilots for ships navigating through the entrances to the Baltic Sea. A Joint Pilotage User Group was formally established at its inaugural meeting on 4 May. The Director General of Royal Danish Administration of Navigation and Hydrography, Mr. Svend Eskildsen, will act as chairman of the Group, and initial members are Royal Danish Administration of Navigation and Hydrography, the Danish Maritime Authority, INTERTANKO, INTERCARGO, ICS, OCIMF and BIMCO. According to the terms of reference the Joint Pilotage User Group should in general provide a two-way process, by evaluating feedback from users as well as from Pilotage Service Providers and taking action as appropriate. Bridgeteam management, training of pilots, possible future change in Danish pilotage regulations are issues that will be addressed. Furthermore, the availability of pilots and the extent of pilotage for ships in transit through the entrances to the Baltic Sea in accordance with IMO resolution MSC138(76), will be examined. The group will assist with the implementation of new relevant pilotage services in the entrances to the Baltic Sea , such as future relevant shore-based pilotage regimes, upon the request of the Danish Administration of Navigation and Hydrography. Finally, the Group will also evaluate the fee for pilotage services – observing that the fee is a parameter when deciding whether to use the services or not but recognising that safety remains paramount. It is the belief that this type of cooperation between the pilots and international shipping associations will be beneficial for all participants. The creation of this group is a positive step in the process to create a forum where both the industry and the pilots can improve pilotage services in Denmark and the safety of navigation in Danish waters.