Pilotage

Pilotage refers to the service in which a duly qualified pilot boards a vessel when it enters or leaves a port, transits a canal, or navigates narrow or other specific waters, to provide navigational advice to the master or personally direct the steering, so as to ensure the vessel completes the voyage segment safely and in compliance with regulations. In foreign trade and shipping, pilotage is an important component of port disbursements and is usually borne by the shipowner or charterer according to the charter party terms. Its use scenarios include: vessel entering and leaving port, berthing and unberthing, transiting the Suez/Panama Canal, etc. Points to note: a pilot does not relieve the master of responsibility for the safety of the vessel; if an accident is caused by the pilot's negligence, the shipowner may still be liable externally, but may seek recourse against the pilotage authority under local law; in addition, pilotage fees are usually charged based on the vessel's net tonnage, pilotage distance, and time period, and must be accurately included in the voyage estimate. Difference from other terms: pilotage is different from tugboat services, which provide power assistance, whereas pilotage mainly provides navigational guidance; it is also different from stevedoring, which involves cargo operations. Foreign trade practitioners should clearly specify in the charter party who bears the pilotage fees to avoid disputes.