THE FIRST report into the possibilities of remote pilotage has found considerable extra work is required to overcome scepticism and anticipate future needs.
The International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA), in collaboration with the Canadian National Centre of Expertise on Maritime Pilotage (NCEMP) and the Canadian Coast Guard, have combined to investigate the technical readiness of remote pilotage solutions.
IMPA is leading an international study, to deliver authoritative insights into the potential use of remote pilotage in port approaches, ports, harbours, rivers and lakes for conventional ships and those that may be navigated remotely or by software with autonomy in the future.
This first report, released in London yesterday [24 September] found proposed remote pilotage solutions offer a glimpse of what is possible, IMPA says. However, for the International Study on Remote Pilotage to progress to the trial phases in mandatory pilotage areas, key challenges need to be overcome.
There are challenges relating to system redundancy and enabling critical pilotage workflow tasks. Shared situational awareness, collision avoidance, relative navigation, and manoeuvring close to other ships and infrastructure were identified as significant risks.
The report was compiled based on extensive desktop assessments of remote pilotage solutions proposed by manufacturers and system integrators. The proposals were made in response to a request for information issued by IMPA in November 2024. With Lloyd’s Register as technical adviser, the assessments took place in April and May 2025.
IMPA said it is acutely aware of the need to overcome some of the scepticism of its intentions to trial remote pilotage solutions. Mature solutions are needed to reveal the capabilities, limitations and prerequisites of remote pilotage in port approaches, ports, canals, rivers and lakes where pilotage is mandatory, IMPA president Captain Simon Pelletier said.
“We have had a glimpse of what might be possible, but we are not there yet. Our primary concern is how to conduct trial phases that are not skewed by the limitations of technology solutions. Artificial limits will not help us deliver the objectives of the Study."
Captain Alain Arseneault, executive director of NCEMP, believes that manufacturers and system integrators need another opportunity: "The first time around, we wanted to see what was out there and not put people off by being too prescriptive. We had anticipated a lot of interest as a result, but this did not materialise. We have learned through this process that a more detailed set of goal-based requirements may help identify a minimum viable solution we can use in the Study."
An updated RFI with more detailed goal-based requirements for remote pilotage solutions for trials in mandatory pilotage areas will be issued in Q4 of 2025. Manufacturers and system integrators wanting more information should contact IMPA or NCEMP.
Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, Mario Pelletier, believes collaboration with IMPA and NCEMP is an invaluable way to gain insights into what the future holds: "The Canadian Coast Guard is pleased to contribute to this international effort, which is helping us explore how navigation services may evolve in the years ahead. The insights gained through this work will help strengthen our own services and ensure we remain ready to meet future needs, while sharing lessons with partners worldwide."