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The Philippine Ports Authority is proposing revisions in its policy on harbor pilots and pilotage services
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Changes will apply to Administrative Order No. 01-2025, or the Omnibus Guidelines on Harbor Pilots and Pilotage Services of 2025, which amended the authority’s policy issued 40 years ago in March 1985
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Aim is to update and strengthen guidelines for existing operational concerns, clarify regulatory provision, and promote more effective administration and supervision of pilotage services
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Stakeholders have until November 18 – 24 for those covered by Metro Manila special non-working holidays – to submit their position papers on the proposal
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is proposing revisions in its policy on harbor pilots and pilotage services.
A proposed new administrative order (AO) will amend AO No. 01-2025, or the Omnibus Guidelines on Harbor Pilots and Pilotage Services of 2025, which amended the authority’s policy issued 40 years ago in March 1985.
PPA assistant general manager for operations Atty. Mark Jon Palomar, in a speech during the public hearing on the proposed policy on November 11, said the ports authority has undertaken a comprehensive review of AO No. 01-2025 with the objective of introducing revised and strengthened guidelines that address existing operational concerns, clarify regulatory provision, and promote more effective administration and supervision of pilotage services.
Palomar said the proposed revision covers several important areas, including:
- Qualification, evaluation and appointment of harbor pilots
- Medical fitness and equipment requirements
- Administration and supervision of pilotage operations
- Safety considerations in vessel berthing and maneuvering assessment
- Collection of authorized pilotage fee
- Measures that strengthen compliance, accountability, and professional conduct
“These proposed reforms are intended not merely to update existing rules, but also to establish a more [responsive], transparent, and effective framework that will support the safe, reliable and efficient delivery of pilotage service while addressing the evolving needs and challenges of the maritime industry. At the same time, we recognize that effective regulation requires a careful balance between operational safety, regulatory oversight, the professional responsibility of harbor pilots, and legitimate interests of shipping lines, port operators, and other stakeholders,” Palomar said.
Stakeholders have been given until November 18 to submit their position papers on the proposal. Stakeholders who are covered by the special non-working holidays in Metro Manila from November 16 to 18 due to the upcoming 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits are allowed to submit their papers until November 24.
For both foreign and domestic vessels
The service of harbor pilots remains compulsory for both international and domestic vessels.
The proposed policy will still cover pilotage services for all foreign vessels, regardless of gross tonnage (GT), and all domestic vessels of at least 100 GT calling at government and private ports under PPA’s jurisdiction; pilotage Services for all tankers carrying petroleum and hydrocarbon oil products; and all harbor pilots licensed by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and appointed by PPA to render pilotage services at government and private ports under PPA’s jurisdiction.
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In addition, the new draft also includes in its scope harbor pilots licensed by MARINA and appointed by PPA to render pilotage services who are hired by port operators of non-commercial private ports with PPA-approved zone of significant port interest (ZSPI). The pilotage services rendered will still be subject to the assessment of PPA pilotage fees.
As part documentary requirements for harbor pilots’ application for appointment, the new draft further clarifies the requirement for commendations, outstanding accomplishments, awards and recognition for maritime-related accomplishments of harbor pilots.
Under the proposal, harbor pilots may be appointed by PPA as probationary or regular.
Appointments will automatically lapse without need of a prior notice from PPA, for failure of any harbor pilot to assume his/her duties within 15 days from the effectivity of his/her appointment. This is shorter than the current 30 days under AO No. 01-2025.
The proposed AO also provides more details on the probationary appointment, including the requirement for orientation.
The annual submission of Certificate of Medical Fitness will now be one month prior to the harbor pilot’s date of birth instead of one month after the date of birth. The proposed AO also states that the Certificate of Medical Fitness should be submitted along with results of other medical/physical tests such as, among others, chest x-ray, blood chemistry, psychological test, and drug screen testing.
Higher indemnity bond at P2M
The proposed AO also raises the requirement for posting of an indemnity bond in favor of PPA to P2 million from the current P1 million. The indemnity bond, in cash or surety bond, should be renewable annually 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 determined to be caused by a harbor pilot in the course of his/her performance of pilotage duties. The indemnity bond should be valid upon the date of assumption and should remain valid until retirement or separation from service.
Compulsory retirement from service will still be at the age of 65 years old.
The proposal also lists new circumstances that will result in the separation from service:
- A harbor pilot’s appointment in a particular pilotage district automatically cancels his/her previous appointment in another pilotage district.
- Upon reaching the age of 60 years old, a harbor pilot should undergo a comprehensive medical examination annually to determine continued medical fitness and competency to safely and effectively perform pilotage duties. Appointment of the harbor pilot may be revoked upon showing after the conduct of a medical examination that he/she has become permanently unfit, physically or mentally or, if he/she failed to submit any of the requirements for appointment such as a Certificate of Medical Fitness.
The proposed AO also expands the requirements for harbor pilot equipment and facilities.
The PPA Port Management Offices should also ensure that prior to the inclusion of a harbor pilot in the monthly shifting schedule, he/she has the required equipment necessary for the conduct of pilotage services. The proposed AO will also require the harbor pilot to submit an equipment inventory form and include photographs of the equipment, proof of ownership/authorization to use, and additional documents, as applicable.
The number of appointed harbor pilots in any pilotage district will still not be limited under the proposal.
On harbor pilotage services, the proposed AO will require that for entering a harbor and anchoring thereat 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, all foreign vessels, regardless of GT and all domestic vessels with at least 100 GT, calling in government or private ports under PPA’s jurisdiction, will be under compulsory pilotage. Under AO No. 01-2025, compulsory pilotage covers all vessels of at least 500 GT.
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PPA will also issue separate guidelines for the appointment of harbor pilots servicing non-commercial private ports with PPA-approved ZSPI. Pending issuance of such guidelines, pilotage services will be compulsory in the concerned pilotage district for all foreign vessels, regardless of GT, and for all domestic vessels with at least 100 GT, and for tankers carrying persistent and non-persistent oil, regardless of GT, calling at non-commercial ports.
Regular and special services
The proposed AO also provides more details on the types of pilotage services, which are regular and special.
Two new sections have also been added: safety considerations in berth allocation and pilotage, and schedule or assignment of harbor pilots.
The proposed AO also added more conditions on the assessment and payment of pilotage fees, as well as on the duties and responsibilities of the harbor pilots.
The proposed AO also adds a new provisions on conflict of interest, wherein harbor pilots and pilotage organizations should not maintain any ownership, financial, managerial or beneficial interest in tugboat operations or towage service providers operating in any pilotage district.
Harbor pilots will also be strictly prohibited from influencing the shipping line agent/representative or the master of the vessel in the selection of the tug service operator when requesting tug assistance service during the conduct of pilotage operations.
The proposed AO also requires all harbor pilots assigned to service vessels to be evaluated by the master of the vessel, and then further reviewed by the PMO to ascertain the efficiency of the pilots being rated.—Roumina Pablo
