GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Pilotage mandatory in port entrances

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.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 22 November 2025

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Definition & Explanation

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.