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The Philippine Ports Authority has amended its policy on harbor pilots and pilotage services
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PPA Administrative Order No. 01-2025, or the Omnibus Guidelines on Harbor Pilots and Pilotage Services of 2025, aims to standardize pilotage services in the different pilotage districts
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AO 01-2025 reduces the age limit for harbor pilots to not more than 55 years old from the previous ruling of 60 years old
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Compulsory retirement age under the order is 65 years old from the previous 70 years old
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The number of appointed harbor pilots in any pilotage districts will no longer be limited
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Harbor pilots may organize an association for easier coordination and consultation on matters of policy formulation and promotional and developmental activities related to pilotage services
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AO 01-2025 takes effect on March 3 and repeals guidelines issued almost 40 years ago
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has amended its policy on harbor pilots and pilotage services.
PPA Administrative Order (AO) No. 01-2025, or the Omnibus Guidelines on Harbor Pilots and Pilotage Services of 2025, aims to standardize the pilotage services to be rendered in the different pilotage districts and ensure responsiveness to the present needs of the pilotage service.
AO 01-2025, published on February 1 and will take effect on March 3, repeals rules and regulations governing pilotage services and the conduct of pilots and pilotage fees under PPA AO 03-85, which was issued almost 40 years ago in March 1985.
AO 01-2025 covers all vessels of at least 100 gross tonnage (GT) calling in government and private seaports under PPA’s jurisdiction, all tankers carrying persistent oil, and all harbor pilots licensed by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and appointed by PPA to render pilotage services.
The service of harbor pilots remains compulsory for both international and domestic vessels.
All vessels with at least 100 GT calling in government or private ports under PPA’s jurisdiction will be under compulsory pilotage when entering a harbor and anchoring there or passing through rivers or straits within a pilotage district, as well as docking and undocking at any pier/wharf, or shifting from one berth to another.
For non-commercial private ports with PPA-approved Zone of Significant Port Interest, the port operator may hire their own harbor pilots duly-licensed by MARINA and appointed by PPA to provide pilotage services. However, the pilotage services rendered will be subject to the assessment of pilotage fees pursuant to AO 01-2025.
Exempted from compulsory pilotage are warships, naval/coastguard auxiliaries or other ships owned and operated by the Philippine government and exclusively engaged in government non-commercial service.
Also excluded are vessels of foreign governments entitled courtesy as certified by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
There are two types of pilotage services—regular and special.
Regular pilotage services are performed by harbor pilots to maneuver vessels to/from the seaports within or proximate to the pilotage district, while special pilotage services are additional pilotage services not part of regular pilot services and are requested by the master of the vessel.
Harbor pilot applicants must be legally compliant with professional qualifications, and should be physically fit to be capable of performing the work of a harbor pilot to board the vessel, especially during stormy weather.
The applicant must also not be more than 55 years old at the time of filing of application, except if the applicant is already holder of regular harbor pilot appointment at another pilotage district. This is a change from the not more than 60 years old requirement under AO 03-85.
As in AO 03-85, the applicant must be a Filipino citizen, physically and mentally fit, and of good moral character. The applicant must also be a licensed harbor pilot for the particular pilotage district issued by MARINA.
Under AO 01-2025, there will only be two stages of appointment to be issued by PPA to a qualified harbor pilot: probationary appointment and regular appointment.
All harbor pilots will be required to post an indemnity bond issued by a reputable bonding company in favor of PPA in the amount of P1 million in cash or surety bond, to cover in whole or in part, any liability arising from any accident resulting in damage to vessels, seaport facilities and other properties, and/or injury to persons or death that may be caused in the course of his/her performance of pilotage duties.
The insurance policy must be valid upon the date of assumption and/or duties of harbor pilot and will remain valid until retirement or end of service of harbor pilot.
Previously under AO 03-85, it is the pilot association that should collectively insure its member harbor pilots.
AO 01-2025 also amends the compulsory retirement age of harbor pilots to 65 years old instead of 70 years old under AO 03-85. PPA during the public hearing in 2023 said the proposed change in compulsory retirement age has been discussed thoroughly by the PPA management and stakeholders. The new retirement age will, however, only apply to newly-appointed harbor pilots upon effectivity of AO 01-2025.
The appointment of the harbor pilot may be revoked in case the health examination shows the harbor pilot to be permanently unfit, either physically or mentally, or for failure to submit the Certificate of Medical Fitness.
The port manager of the concerned PPA port management office (PMO) will have the duty to control, regulate, and supervise pilotages services and the conduct of harbor pilots in all concerned pilotage districts.
Harbor pilots may organize an association for easier coordination and consultation on matters of policy formulation and promotional and developmental activities related to pilotage services.
To efficiently and effectively render pilotage services, the harbor pilots will be required to ensure availability the certain equipment and facilities, such as, but not limited to, a pilot boat, communication equipment, tool kit, and personal protective equipment. Previously under AO 03-85, it is the pilot association that should make available the required equipment and facilities for its members.
The harbor pilot will still be responsible in case of damage caused to a vessel or to life and property at seaports due to harbor pilot’s negligence or fault. The harbor pilot can only be absolved from liability if the accident is caused by force majeure or natural calamities, and the harbor pilot has exercised prudence and extra diligence to prevent such damage.
The master of the vessel will also retain overall command of the vessel even on the pilotage grounds, whereby the master can countermand or overrule the order or command of the harbor pilot. In such event, any damage due to the fault or negligence of the master of the vessel will be the responsibility and liability of the registered owner of the vessel concerned, without prejudice to recourse against the master of the vessel.
A new policy under the AO is that a harbor pilot should not allow the engagement of tug service where he/she has direct or indirect interest during one’s particular pilotage services operation to a vessel.
Under AO 01-2025, the number of appointed harbor pilots in any pilotage districts will no longer be limited. This reflects PPA Memorandum Order No. 020-2023, which no longer limits the number of harbor pilots per pilotage district “to improve the efficiency of port operation, address the increasing demand for harbor pilot services and encourage wider participation in the practice of the Harbor Pilot profession.”
READ: PPA lifts limits on number of harbor pilots per district
Instead, the PPA general manager, upon recommendation of the port manager, may increase or decrease the number of appointed harbor pilots in a pilotage district considering the needs of the services under certain circumstances.
Any vessel which employs pilotage services of a harbor pilot should pay the pilotage fees as prescribed under prevailing PPA issuances, and subsequent amendments thereto, and should comply with certain conditions under the AO. The “No Service, No Pay” principle will be followed.
The government will have a share of not less than 10% of the gross income derived from pilotage services, whether billed/unbilled and collected/uncollected.
Under AO 01-2025, all shipping lines should only pay the 90% harbor pilot share on pilotage services to the harbor pilot while the 10% government should be paid to the PPA PMO concerned prior to the issuance of the vessel departure clearance. Under AO 03-85, the government share is remitted to PPA by the pilotage association.
Any harbor pilot found to have violated or neglected to perform his or her duties/responsibilities under any provisions of AO 01-2025 will be penalized, subject to suspension and/or cancellation of his or her appointment as harbor pilot.
During the public hearing in 2023 on the then proposed AO, former PPA Marine Services Division manager (now acting port manager of PMO Negros Oriental/Siquijor) Rey Del Moro, Jr. said the PPA Board resolved to conduct a review and propose amendments to issuances governing pilotage to address the concerns of stakeholders and ensure consistency with new applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
READ: PPA proposes update of 38-year-old harbor pilot policy
He said the amendments aim to improve and update relevant rules and regulations on pilotage under AO 03-85 and to further align with new laws such as the Amended Public Service Act and Philippine Competition Act. – Roumina Pablo
READ: PPA reinforces implementation of pilotage fees, service at Manila terminals
