Article

China wants to change pilot ladder regulations

published on 3 May 2022 - 1878 -

Show comment section |

Despite the current regulations describing the different types of pilotage transfers, there are still many non-compliant pilotage transfers today.

China has already submitted proposals to the IMO regarding changes to SOLAS, Chapter 23, and IMO A.1045(27) in early 2021.

At both MSC104 and MSC105 (which ended last week) there was no time to address this important issue. At MSC105, the intention was expressed to discuss this issue at the upcoming MSC106.

The attached PDF shows the proposal submitted by China to improve safety when transferring via pilot ladders.
The paper also discusses the so-called trapdoor arragements.

On LinkedIn these days, the internationally respected safety expert on pilot ladders, Capt. Arie Palmers assessed the submitted proposals as follows:
"Indeed it is better to take enough time to discuss this important and urgent matter. Not just the footnotes in SOLAS chV reg.23 and IMO A.1045(27) need to be amended; there is a lot more to change as you might know. Indeed a very good paper forwarded by China last year."

Click to download PDF

Download: Chinas proposals to the IMO (PDF)

What's your opinion on this?

Video Inside the IMO Maritime Safety Committee | The Nautical Institute

published on 27 August 2026

Title: Inside the IMO Maritime Safety Committee. Subtitle: How Global Shipping Rules Are Made Opening What happens inside the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and how are global shipping rules really made? This episode takes you behind the scenes during MSC. Full Description: In this episode of Your Voice at the IMO, we go inside the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) at the International Maritime Organization, the body responsible for shaping global maritime safety regulations. As...

Article Podcast: Maritime Pilot Safety and reducing the risk in pilot transfer operations

published on 4 July 2023

This is an in-depth discussion of the risks involved in maritime pilot transfers; an interesting job but with a risky commute to work.

Article Combinations Ladders: "1,000 combinations around" (by Arie Palmers)

by Arie Palmers, Netherlands - published on 13 July 2020

Before you, you see my third article on pilot boarding arrangements. After my two previous articles
(‘1000 ways to secure a pilot ladder’ and ‘1000 ladders around’, I have received a lot of feedback and
also questions to get deeper into the matter of combinations and embarkation platforms.

Article New aluminium pilot boat for the Savannah Pilots Association

published on 31 August 2022

The Savannah Pilots Association of Georgia received a brand-new aluminium pilot boat from Snow and Company, a Washington-based boat-builder.

Article Charles Costanzo named executive director of Puget Sound Pilots

published on 1 October 2021

Puget Sound Pilots appointed a new executive director, Charles Costanzo, formerly general counsel and Pacific region vice president for American Waterways Operators (AWO).

Video 24/7 Live Webcam - Kiel Canal at Brunsbuettel Lock in Germany | Nord-Ostsee-Kanal Schleuse Brunsbüttel

published on 1 September 2020

Auch die Baustelle der neuen Schleuse ist zu sehen.
The construction site of the new lock can also be seen.
Pilotage Service in this Area by:

Article Container vessel MSC MIA took down crane in Valencia, Spain

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 13 September 2020

One of the biggest ships in the world, 23,000+ TEU container ship MSC MIA, reportedly contacted gantry crane while leaving container terminal at Valencia.

Article New performance standard for pilot transfer arrangements

by IMPA - International Maritime Pilots’ Association - published on 14 June 2024

This week, the International Maritime Organization Sub-Committee responsible for developing amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 and associated instruments (NCSR 11) finalized a new performance standard for pilot transfer arrangements, which is expected to be made mandatory by SOLAS and apply to new and existing SOLAS and non-SOLAS ships from 1 January 2028.