Navigating the Limits: Columbia River Pilots Confront Big Ships, Tight Channels
Columbia River Pilots is an association of independent pilots, a unique organization that uses a network of pilots and independent boats to manage a long stretch of river in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Capt. Jeremy Nielsen serves as President, Columbia River Pilots, and in addressing the challenges his organization faces, leading the list are the maritime megatrend that sees vessel size outpacing infrastructure along the river, from bridge clearance to dockage; as well as the maritime industry's legislated drive for decarbonization…
Denmark Launches Data-Driven Remote Pilotage
With approval from the Danish Emergency Management Agency, DanPilot and Danelec are now initiating a test program for remote pilotage—the first of its kind in the world. The approval marks a significant step towards a technological paradigm shift, opening new possibilities for safety, climate action, and operational efficiency in the maritime sector.After six years of development, Denmark is taking a step towards a more efficient and digital maritime infrastructure. The test program created by DanPilot and Danelec allows pilots to guide ships from land…
APA Applauds Withdrawal of NARW Speed Restriction Regulations
On January 16, 2025, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) formally withdrew its August 1, 2022, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that sought amendments to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule that would have had the unintended consequences of endangering pilots, weakening navigation safety, and damaging the maritime supply chain on the East Coast. While the American Pilots’ Association (APA) announced that it welcomes the proposal’s withdrawal…
IMPA to Test Remote Pilotage Solutions
The international study on remote pilotage launched by the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) and its partners in the summer 2024 is now reaching out to manufacturers and system integrators to solicit their participation in the trials phases of the study.IMPA’s partners include the Canadian National Centre of Expertise on Maritime Pilotage (NCEMP) and the Canadian Coast Guard. Together, they are exploring remote pilotage to evaluate its feasibility, readiness and impacts on safe navigation practices and systems.It is designed to deliver unbiased…
Why Compulsory Pilotage Is So Effective
When asked why pilots(1) are so effective, most say, “They know the local waters.” While true, there are other important factors that make pilotage so effective.Compulsory pilotage is navigation safety regulation, and by far the most effective mechanism available to governments to protect the marine environment while facilitating maritime commerce(2). Pilotage regulations are so effective because, unlike other maritime safety regulations which merely direct a ship to take or not take certain actions…
