- SOLAS Amendments Aim to Protect Maritime Pilots.
- Global Standards Updated to Reduce Pilot Transfer Risks.
- New Rules Strengthen Safety for Pilots and Seafarers Alike.
Maritime pilots play a crucial role in ensuring safe navigation, preventing pollution at sea, and keeping global maritime trade running smoothly. With more than 3 million pilotage operations taking place each year, these professionals help achieve an impressive 528-fold reduction in navigational risk (TEMS, 2022), reports IMPA.
SOLAS Amendments Boost Pilot Safety
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has made important updates to the SOLAS Convention, introducing a new mandatory performance standard for pilot transfer arrangements. This initiative is designed to enhance safety for maritime pilots around the globe.
Captain Simon Pelletier, President of the International Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA), stated:
“Maritime pilots deliver an extremely effective public service. The IMO has taken the most significant step in a generation to make doing that work safer. IMPA appreciates the support we have received across member States at IMO, and the outcome is testament to what can be achieved when pilots’ organisations around the world work together.”
Key Safety Improvements in New Standards
The recent amendments build on the existing industry standards while adding some crucial enhancements:
- Pilot ladders and manropes are now considered consumables, meaning they need to be replaced within 36 months of their manufacture date.
- Manufacturers can no longer self-certify; instead, they must adhere to stricter type-approval requirements.
- By aligning with ISO 799 parts 1, 2, and 3, we’re ensuring consistency in design and rigging, especially when it comes to trapdoors.
- New securing methods for intermediate-length ladders are now required, following a study commissioned by IMPA.
Survey Highlights Ongoing Safety Challenges
The 2025 IMPA Annual Safety Survey highlights the pressing need for these reforms, revealing a 14% non-compliance rate in over 5,000 reports submitted in May 2025.
Captain Pelletier emphasized: “The new performance standards will help change this situation and encouraged flag States to pursue voluntary early implementation, and maritime pilots to continue to educate shipboard personnel where they can. We are ready to assist member States, shipowners, operators, seafarers and equipment manufacturers to implement the new requirements.”
Benefits Extend Beyond Pilots
The updated standards are designed to benefit not just maritime pilots but all users of pilot transfer equipment. Matthew Williams, IMPA Secretary General, noted: “Seafarers, inspectors, surveyors, and other personnel using pilot transfer arrangements should also benefit from the changes.”
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Source: IMPA
