Quality pilotage crucial

By PETER ESILA
WITHOUT regulated pilotage, a port or waterway cannot maintain its competitive position in the long term, says a representative.
International Maritime Pilots’ Association president Captain Simon Pelletier said during the Australasian Marine Pilots Institute 2024 Regional Pilotage and Ports Conference in Port Moresby this week that a pilotage system that truly puts the public interest first prevented accidents and ensured that operations were conducted in the most efficient manner possible, minimising delays and maximising tonnage shipped.
“A country that maintains a well-regulated pilotage system also puts its best foot forward to ensure it is able to fully take advantage of innovation,” Pelletier said.
“When pilots operate in well-regulated systems, they can best focus their energies on finding ways to improve practices, develop new techniques to maximise the use of a waterway, accommodate ever-larger ships, and integrate new technologies.
“This is how productivity benefits are enhanced. This is how cargo is maximised, and this is how transits are optimally managed.
“Pilotage that is well regulated and independently delivered is an asset. An asset that pays for itself multiple times.”

“Pilotage serves multiple purposes. For example, we contribute to ensure safe navigation in high risk waters; protecting the environment; our expertise is essential to supply chains, (in full period) and thereby trade, including moving natural resources; and, our know-how helps maximise marine infrastructure investments and contributes to their social licence.”