- IMPA partners with Canadian organizations to assess remote pilotage and autonomous shipping.
- The study focuses on safety, feasibility, and the future impact of remote pilotage.
- The project aims to provide evidence-based guidance for global maritime navigation practices.
The International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) has partnered with Canadian organizations to assess the use of remote pilotage and autonomous shipping, focusing on safety, feasibility, and future impacts on the maritime industry, reports Seatrade Maritime.
IMPA and Canadian Collaboration
IMPA is working with the Canadian National Centre of Expertise on Maritime Pilotage (NCEMP) and the Canadian Coast Guard to study remote pilotage on conventional ships.
The project will utilize the expertise of IMPA’s global members to explore the readiness of this technology.
Objective of the Study
The project aims to thoroughly examine the potential of remote pilotage, determining its impact on safe navigation, cost-effectiveness, and risk. It will also look at how future autonomous vessels might fit into current navigation systems.
IMPA’s project is distinguished by the experience of its members, who conduct over 2 million pilotage acts annually. This wealth of practical knowledge will help provide an objective analysis of remote pilotage systems.
IMPA President Captain Simon Pelletier emphasized the need for a rigorous analysis, stating, “The number and variety of people talking about remote navigation and pilotage makes it necessary for IMPA to conduct a rigorous, objective analysis to help pilots’ organisations, competent authorities, and industry make informed decisions. Providing authoritative, evidence-based guidance to support objective decision-making in maritime pilotage is key to ensuring the continued safety of marine navigation. It is part of the reason IMPA exists.”
Canadian Coast Guard’s Role
Mario Pelletier, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, said, “The collaboration with IMPA and the NCEMP will help us understand what role new technologies regarding remote navigation and autonomy might play in the future and how the Coast Guards around the globe must adapt to meet the evolving needs of mariners.”
Captain Alain Arseneault, Executive Director of NCEMP, stressed the importance of evidence-based guidance to ensure that new technological solutions do not compromise navigation safety.
“A lot is being said about remote pilotage, but ensuring that aspirations and technological solutions do not get ahead of navigation safety is in everyone’s interests. We need clear, evidence-based and authoritative guidance, not just in Canada but in other jurisdictions as well.”
IMPA noted that maritime pilots are essential to preventing negative impacts on coastal communities and the global economy. Any changes to pilotage practices, including remote pilotage, must be carefully reviewed.
Global Implications
The results of this study will have implications not only in Canada but globally, as other nations may adopt similar practices and technologies in their maritime operations.
IMPA and its partners aim to provide reliable data to help authorities and industries make informed decisions about integrating remote pilotage, ensuring safety in the evolving maritime landscape.
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Source:Seatrade Maritime
