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Two additional harbor pilots may serve Batangas ports
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The Philippine Ports Authority has raised to 11 from nine the maximum number of harbor pilots in the Batangas Pilotage District
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This is in answer to the significant rise in ship calls, vessel tonnage, and traffic at private ports in the Port Management Office of Batangas’ jurisdiction that mostly require compulsory pilotage
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has raised the number of harbor pilots who may serve Batangas ports following an increase in ship calls.
Under Administrative Order No. 005-2023, PPA raised the maximum number of harbor pilots in Batangas Pilotage District from nine to 11. The order takes effect on August 20.
PPA said this is meant “to meet the significant increase [in] ship calls, vessel tonnage, and traffic at the private ports within PMO [Port Management Office] Batangas’ [jurisdiction, the] majority of [whom] cater to vessels covered by compulsory pilotage.”
In Resolution No. 3232, issued on June 27, 2023, the PPA Board amended AO 01-95 and increased the authorized number of harbor pilots in all pilotage areas.
Under PPA rules, the number of pilots in a pilotage district may be increased or decreased based on the need for their service. PPA will appoint new harbor pilots through the general manager once it determines the need for them.
This will depend on marine traffic density; promptness of the pilots to render service; factors that slow down pilotage; port infrastructure and shipping developments within the whole pilotage district; and views of shipping lines and pilot associations.
According to data from PPA’s website, PMO Batangas recorded 19,411 ship calls in the first half of 2023, of which 2,946 were in private ports while the rest were in the baseports of Batangas, Bauan, Tablas, and Romblon. In 2022, PMO Batangas handled 37,557 ship calls, of which 5,646 were in private ports while the rest were in Batangas port, Bauan, Tablas, and Romblon.
Engaging the services of harbor pilots when docking and undocking in Philippine ports is mandatory for foreign and domestic ships.
The Maritime Industry Authority administers the harbor pilot examination and issuance of license while PPA approves the number of harbor pilots per pilot district.
As of July 2022, under PPA Operations Memorandum Circular No. 01-2022, there are 115 harbor pilots servicing the pilotage districts of Aparri, Batangas, Bicol, Cagayan De Oro, Catbalogan, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Maasin-Surigao, Manila, Masao, Masinloc-Sta. Cruz, North Panay, Puerto Princesa, Pulupandan, San Fernando, Siain-Hondagua and Casiguran, Tacloban, Tagbilaran/Bohol, and Zamboanga.
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