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 The use of helmets... or “Why Do Pilots Not Wear Helmets?”

by Marine Pilot Luis Vale, Portugal - published on 20 August 2019

photo and article by Luis Vale, Portugal

Video Always on the spot - how the pilots get to the vessels quickly and safely

published on 21 February 2023

On duty 24/7, 365 days a year. The pilot service is always on hand when a ship is heading for or leaving the Port of Hamburg. Fleet Hamburg reliably brings the pilots on board the ships and that is a fast-paced task. New challenges await every day. Find out more in this episode of "PORT IS WHAT WE DO".
https://www.hamburg-port-authority.de/en/
https://www.instagram.com/hamburgerhafen/

Video Pilot onboard Ukraine

published on 22 September 2021

Video Marine Pilot - Rylan Stott

published on 16 August 2021

Video Pilot Boat Operations at Port of Tyne

published on 6 June 2025

Witness the Historic D/S Hestmanden at the Port of Tyne Experience the majestic arrival and departure of the D/S Hestmanden, Norway's cherished steamship, as she graces the Port of Tyne. This video captures the seamless pilotage operations, showcasing the collaboration between the ship and local maritime pilots. About D/S Hestmanden: Built: 1911 by Laxevaags Maskin & Jernskibsbyggeri in Bergen, Norway Length: 59.47 meters | Beam: 9.17 meters Tonnage: 755 gross tons | DWT: 965 tons...

Article Trusteddocks: Bottleneck at Shipyards and Resulting Price Increases Ahead

by trusteddocks.com GmbH - published on 30 June 2020

This market intelligence allows all interested parties to measure the shipyards industry and to follow flows in demand and supply, enabling shipping companies’ management to make informed, fact-based decisions on docking requirements.

Article Falmouth Harbour orders new £1.6M pilot

published on 5 December 2022

Falmouth Harbour (FH) has awarded Holyhead Marine the £1.6M contract to build a clean, safe, fuel-efficient pilot vessel to join a fleet operating 24/7, 365 days a year and completing more than 1,000 boardings and landings per year within the Falmouth Harbour Pilotage Area.