IMPA and Canadian Partners Collaborate to Explore Remote Pilotage Feasibility

The International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA), representing over 50 member countries, is joining forces with the Canadian National Centre of Expertise on Maritime Pilotage (NCEMP) and the Canadian Coast Guard to rigorously investigate the feasibility, readiness, and implications of remote pilotage. This collaboration aims to provide comprehensive insights into the current and future potential of remote pilotage for both conventional ships and vessels that may be remotely navigated or autonomously controlled in the future.

The Role of Maritime Pilotage

The International Maritime Organization recognizes the critical importance of employing qualified, licensed pilots aboard ships in areas where their expertise significantly enhances navigation safety. Maritime pilots are relied upon for their specialized local knowledge, which is essential in challenging navigation environments, such as ports and compulsory pilotage areas. These professionals ensure the safe and efficient movement of ships, protecting coastal communities and the economic, social, and environmental interests tied to maritime trade.

The Importance of Rigorous Evaluation

Given the crucial role of maritime pilotage, IMPA emphasizes the need for careful examination of any concept that could impact compulsory pilotage practices and systems, including remote pilotage. Captain Simon Pelletier, President of IMPA, underscores the importance of conducting a thorough, objective analysis to support informed decision-making by pilots’ organizations, authorities, and industry stakeholders. Providing authoritative, evidence-based guidance is essential to ensuring the continued safety of marine navigation, which is a core mission of IMPA.

Innovation and Future Adaptation

Mario Pelletier, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, highlights the organization’s commitment to innovation in navigation and its role in supporting Canada’s economic growth through the safe and efficient movement of maritime trade. The collaboration with IMPA and NCEMP aims to understand how emerging technologies related to remote navigation and autonomy might shape the future and how Coast Guards globally must adapt to meet the evolving needs of mariners.

Evidence-Based Approach

Captain Alain Arseneault, Executive Director of NCEMP, emphasizes the need for clear, evidence-based guidance on remote pilotage, not only in Canada but across other jurisdictions as well. The project will analyze pilotage as a socio-technical system, considering the impact of new protocols on risk, cost-effectiveness, and social acceptance. By incorporating the experience of maritime pilots from over 50 countries, who conduct over 2 million pilotage acts annually, the project aims to provide a comprehensive assessment. This includes validating insights from previous shore-based pilotage projects and conducting trials of technology and protocols on conventionally navigated ships, primarily in Canada.