Ports and Pilotage: A general dialogue

Ports

Investment in ports

Investment in ports is crucial

Its a country gateway to the world
85% of world cargoes transported by sea
Transportation by sea is cheaper than
anything else
Important for the country trade and its
economy
Supports logistics
Supports local society
Investment in ports is expensive
Cost of the infrastructure is massive
Equipment becoming more sophisticated
to meet performance expectations
Ports need more land to meet increasing
demand
Ports recruiting less labors to becoming
more efficient

Continuous development
More vessels coming to the industry than
ports being developed
Vessels getting larger
Vessels and ports getting more complex
Increasing port capabilities & performance
Growing requirements for training and
development
More diversified ports
Market challenges
Increasing competition
Decrease and increase in volumes
Fluctuation, also in rates
Maintaining ports capabilities
Different vessels require different services,
which means investment in range of services
Optimization
Cost of compliance

Automation of port activities

A very cost effective way

Time is money
Reduction of wage costs
Help protect the assets
Efficiency
Improves operational logistics processes
Improves utilization
Increases handling performance
Increases productivity
Safe
Reduces human error
Reduces human injury
Reduces number of incidents
Environmental friendly
Provides accurate data

What does a pilot mean to the port and

clients

Is a port ambassador
Everyone onboard is waiting to see the pilot
The initial physical contact with the vessel
Communication and exchange of information
becomes important
Is an operation person
Safely maneuver a vessel in the port
Transit the channels
Communicate with port authorities and assets
Berth & unberth the ship
Is an authority
Has a state empowerment to conduct his duties
Assures compliance to port rules and international
regulations
Takes command in emergencies and leads
investigations.
A facilitator to ensure vessels are accomplishing
what they called the port for

What does a pilot mean to the port and

its clients (continue)

Is a safety inspector
Ensures the compliance with HSE rules and
regulations
Ensures port safety is adhered to
Look after personnel safety and operation safety
Protects the environment
Is a terminal representative/loading master
Supervise loading and unloading operations
Cross check cargo quantities
Observes terminal safety & cargo operation safety
Is a surveyor
Can be a cargo surveyor
Verifies cargo conditions
Verifies cargo discrepancies
Is a technical person
Ensures accuracy of the compass and conduct
compass swings
Supervise stability

Who should become a pilot

Knowledge
Nautical knowledge
Technical knowledge
Legal awareness
Local knowledge
Industry awareness and updates
Skills
Teamwork skills
Communication skills
Ship-handling skills
Ability to react in emergencies
Behavior / attitude
Respect
Politeness
Clarity
Willingness
Punctual
On time
Meet the KPIs and targets

Pilot tools

Information
VTS center
Ship information
terminal information
Local area information
Regulations
Communication
VTS
Radios
Tablets/mobile phones
Forms and other applications
Aids
Guiding beams, distance indicators
Charts
Radars, ARPA, ECDIS
Binoculars.. Etc..
Resources
Ships power
Tugs and pilot launch
Mooring team and terminal operators

Challenges of a pilot

Communication & Culture

Ability to communicate with the ship
and its crew
Many ports having multinational
employees
Pilots deals with different cultures
Different ships
Different standards
Different capabilities
Different shapes
Different businesses
Substandard equipment
Ships equipment
Terminal equipment
Marine support units

Port layout
Environment prevailing conditions
Available Sea space for maneuverability
Berths allocations
Availability of resources
Availability of suitable resources
Optimization (understanding the
operation requirement)
Emergences
Safe guarding the port
Protecting the environment
Protecting the assets
Preventing human injury or loss of life
Port laws and regulations
to ensure compliance and
implementation.

What should help overcome challenges

Continuous training
Investing on equipment and technology
BTM training and HELM training
VTS equipment
Technical training (manned models and
Assisting aids
simulations) and OJT
PPUs
Competency checks programs
Marine application
Frequent theoretical and practical checks
Appraisals / assessments
Establishing Pilots Working Groups
Discuss HSE related and technical issues
Discuss emergency plans
Discuss port regulations and updates in the
industry
Discuss risks, incidents and mitigations
Communicate with other WG such as tugmasters,
mooring gangs, terminals, etc..
Share the outcomes of the WG with Harbour
Masters and Port Management team.

Becoming more efficient in pilotage

Becoming more professional

Becoming more Productive

Knowledgeable
Skilled
Experienced
Capable
Inspired

Meet objectives
Safe operations
Always on time
More jobs
Optimum use of
resources

Pilotage is not only a practice it is a profession which involved a formal qualification and
prolong training

Continuous development
Keep to date with the industry
Self learning and motivation

THANK YOU