# Pilotage mandatory in port entrances

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> Shipowners, masters, and port authorities all operate within the framework of compulsory pilotage: the legal requirement to take a licensed harbour pilot on board when entering or leaving a port.

Shipowners, masters, and port authorities all operate within the framework of compulsory pilotage: the legal requirement to take a licensed harbour pilot on board when entering or leaving a port. The threshold rules differ considerably – some ports require a pilot for every vessel, others only above specific size or draught limits, and some restrict the obligation to night passages or restricted-visibility conditions. Despite the pilot assuming practical navigational control, the master retains overall command responsibility; the pilot's personal liability is typically capped under national maritime law. Pilotage dues are assessed against vessel dimensions and port-specific tariff schedules, making them a predictable fixed item in port disbursement estimates. Compulsory pilotage is distinct from voluntary pilotage, where a ship's master may engage a pilot at discretion in ports where no legal obligation exists.

**Source:** [https://www.example-logistics-dictionary.com/pilotage-mandatory-port-entrances](https://www.example-logistics-dictionary.com/pilotage-mandatory-port-entrances)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Pilotage mandatory in port entrances |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 132 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://www.example-logistics-dictionary.com/pilotage-mandatory-port-entrances |

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