by Mustafa Sokukcu, Cenk Sakar
ABSTRACTRapid technological integration in the maritime industry has sparked research into remote maritime pilotage (or shore-based pilotage). This concept is being explored both as an alternative to traditional on-board pilotage operations, and as a robust backup for existing services. Addressing the literature gap regarding comprehensive research on remote pilotage, this study aims to determine and prioritize the relevant criteria for these operations. By applying the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method to the SWOT criteria, the priority weightings of the main criteria were calculated. To prioritize the criteria, face-to-face interviews were conducted with seven experienced maritime pilots (n = 7). The results yielded priority weightings for opportunities (0.294), threats (0.292), strengths (0.246), and weaknesses (0.168). Upon analyzing the total weighting ratios of the sub-criteria, "instantaneous and undelayed data transfer" emerged as the most significant criterion among the threats. Other significant findings include "supporting traditional pilotage services with remote pilotage" as an opportunity, and "prevention of pilot transfer accidents" as a strength. By highlighting these critical factors, the findings provide a strategic roadmap for pilotage organizations, maritime authorities and port operators to prioritize infrastructure investments and standardized regulatory protocols for the safe conduct of remote maritime pilotage.
1. Introduction
Pilotage operations are a system that combines knowledge, expertise, experience, and available resources to safely manage the movement of a ship (Behforouzi, 2021). It also involves managing high risk situations with intense concentration and high standards of experience and skill (Oraith et al., 2021). Pilotage operations have a long history, and today most coastal states have rules and regulations covering pilotage services (Bach, 2009). Maritime pilotage services are provided in specific areas where the probability of maritime accidents such as collisions and groundings are high. For this reason, pilotage services are vital for safety and are offered as a mandatory service in many countries (Basnet, 2023). Pilotage services are provided by maritime pilots who act as managers of operations and, with their high level of familiarity with the navigating area, guide ship captains on navigation and maneuvering (Wu et al., 2020; Tunçel et al., 2022). Combining their knowledge and experience, maritime pilots play an important role in ensuring the safe maneuvering of vessels (Park et al., 2019; Wu et al., 2020) and in safeguarding public interests by protecting port facilities and trade (Main and Chambers, 2015).
In recent years, the application of technology in the maritime industry has rapidly expanded, and it is undeniable that this trend will lead to some changes in the functioning of operations in order to increase safety in the coming years. Thus, operations in the maritime industry will become increasingly dependent on technological developments (Lahtinen et al., 2020; Basnet et al., 2023). In traditional maritime pilotage operations today, the pilot is physically on board the vessel to be served (Sakar and Sokukcu, 2023). However, with technological advancements, ships are now equipped with devices such as satellite positioning systems (GPS), electronic charts (ECDIS), and automatic identification systems (AIS). Furthermore, the concept of autonomous vessel has begun to be researched as reliable and fast data transfers between ship and shore have become possible (Porathe, 2022). In parallel with all these developments, the concept of remote maritime pilotage has been discussed for some time. Here, the concepts of remote maritime pilotage and shore-based maritime pilotage are considered to be the same (Betz, 2015).
Although there is no precise definition of remote maritime pilotage (Bruno and Lützhöft, 2009), according to International Maritime Pilots' Association (IMPA), remote pilotage refers to the act of piloting a vessel . . .
