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 protocols to mitigate COVID-19 cases onboard

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 8 September 2020

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) and the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) issued new protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 cases on board.

Video Maritime Single Window 2024: New guidelines are coming!

published on 15 November 2022

Video recording of the Maritime Single Window 2024 Window of opportunities Webinar which took place on 24 October and highlighted the benefits and opportunities for maritime trade arising from the application of the maritime single window (MSW) to electronic ship clearance processes in ports.

Video Oil Tanker Safety: Tug Escorts, Marine Pilots, and Partnership with Scia’new First Nation

published on 26 May 2026

Alberta's government is proposing to partner with Indigenous communities to build a new West Coast oil export project. In B.C. waters, oil tanker spill prevention depends on locally operated escort tugboats and expert local marine pilots, who safely guide tankers in and out of port. On the southern tip of Vancouver Island, escort tugboats are operated in partnership with the Scia’new First Nation in the community’s territorial waters.

Article Latest edition of the European Maritime Pilots Association newsletter released

published on 23 June 2022

EMPA has released their latest newsletter.

Opinion Pilot safety: a crucial component of navigation safety

by MS Amlin Marine - published on 22 October 2024

The latest MS Amlin Marine circular, compiled by theTechnical Loss Prevention Consultant Peter van der Kroft, focuses on the importance of pilot safety in marine navigation.

Article Safehaven Marine has signed a contract with the Port Authority of Montrose

published on 29 July 2021

Safehaven Marine has signed a contract with the Port Authority of Montrose on the east coast of Scotland for the delivery of a 15m pilot boat Interceptor 48, scheduled for delivery in August 2022.