With approval from the Danish Emergency Management Agency, the Danish Government-owned pilotage service DanPilot is currently undertaking a test program for remote pilotage, reportedly the first of its kind in the world.
The test program, created by DanPilot and Danelec, allows pilots to guide ships from land, using only data transmitted directly from the vessels.
The aim is to improve pilot safety and reduce fuel consumption for ships without compromising navigational safety.
“Remote pilotage makes our work safer and helps reduce both CO2 emissions and operational costs for our customers,” said Erik Merkes Nielsen, CEO of DanPilot.
"We have worked intensively towards this for six years, and now we can finally test it in practice. It has the potential to become a major paradigm shift in how pilotage is carried out."
The remote pilotage program is taking place in the Kattegat and the western Baltic Sea. The operation is carried out from a control centre in the city of Randers.
During the test phase, the technology will only be used on vessels that meet specific technical requirements and only in designated waters. The solution is expected to be relevant for up to 10 per cent of DanPilot’s pilotage operations in Danish waters.
The test is being conducted in collaboration with a range of shipping companies, including Maersk, which contributes ships operating in the test area.
Remote pilotage is based on Danelec’s technology, which collects and transmits key data from the ship, including course, speed, and position, via the ship’s voyage data recorder (VDR).
This data is transmitted in real time to DanPilot’s control center in Randers. Here, the pilot uses Danelec’s software to analyse the information and provide navigational guidance without being physically present on board.
The test period will last up to 18 months and include approximately 50 pilotages.