Fewer vessels in voyage mean less pilotage and this means less income for many Pilots. Not every Pilot is an employee and many pilots are self-employed and organised in a brotherhood per example. They are earning only money if they are piloting a vessel. No vessel – no money.

The last month Jan Tiedemann from Alphaliner (BRS) in Hamburg has reported, that DNV GL has awarded Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding (group) Co., Ltd. an approval in principle for the design of an LNG-powered 25,000 TEU container vessel. Based upon the reported vessel dimensions, he reckons that the ship could actually have a capacity closer to 26,000 TEU.

Time-lapse of a nearly 1000 foot Container Ship arriving and docking in Antwerp, Belgium. This is one of the longer pilotages on this ship's current route and typically takes around 5 hours or more including a pilot changeover.
Filmed using the GoPro Hero 8 Black.
Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free...
#ships #maritime #antwerp

Following a pilot at fast speed

A wonderful poem by Gaylen K. Bunker found on YouTube. As read by the author from bis book "Poems".

HURON SPIRIT - PILOT BOAT - Upbound On The St. Clair River Heading Into Lake Huron, To Pickup A Great Lakes Pilot From The JAMNO - POLSTEAM, Passing Under The Blue Water Bridges At Port Huron, Michigan.

PILOT STEINBURG (MMSI: 211784710) is sailing under the flag of Germany.
Her length overall (LOA) is 29 meters and her width is 8 meters.

According to Captain’s visual observance and overheard radio talks, bulk carrier OLIVE BAY anchor chain entangled with the chain of another ship, on Jan 8 or 9, in Yangtze estuary between Chongming island and Taicang, Shanghai area.