Remote pilotage is one of the core focus areas of the NELSON project. By exploring how pilotage services can be supported or partially delivered remotely using advanced digital tools, situational awareness systems, and secure communication links, NELSON aims to improve flexibility in maritime operations and to support adoption of remote pilotage.
“Within the project, remote pilotage is being studied from technical, operational, and regulatory perspectives. Particular attention is given to legal and regulatory alignment, human factors, reliability of systems, and seamless integration with existing maritime stakeholders,” shares Tero Vainio, head of technology at Finnpilot Pilotage Ltd as well as the lead of remote pilotage activities in the NELSON project.
According to Vainio, the work contributes to building a common understanding of how remote pilotage could complement traditional pilotage practices in the future.
Why Remote Pilotage Matters
Maritime operations are becoming increasingly digitalised and data-driven. Vessels are equipped with more advanced navigation systems, real-time sensors, and connectivity solutions than ever before. At the same time, traffic density, environmental requirements, and expectations for safe and efficient port calls continue to grow.
“Remote pilotage addresses these evolving needs by investigating how pilotage can be supported through digital means without compromising safety or professional standards. Rather than replacing conventional pilotage, the concept is explored as a complementary capability that could strengthen resilience, improve service availability, and enable new operational models in the long term,” Vainio explains.
Situational Awareness, Connectivity, and Trust
For remote pilotage to be feasible, it must be supported by high-quality situational awareness and reliable information exchange.
According to Mr. Vainio, this means assessing what information is essential for pilotage decision-making and how it can be made available in a timely, consistent, and trusted way. In this context, there are some key elements that also reflect the wider NELSON approach, i.e., building scalable, standardised foundations for next-generation maritime services.
“Firstly, communication systems for real-time data and voice exchange are a critical component for enabling remote pilotage. Secondly, situational awareness tools are installed to ensure that the pilot and the vessel’s master share the same real-time operational picture. Thirdly, resilience is needed to ensure system continuity and safe operation in failure situations as well,” Vainio elaborates.
Human Factors and Operational Readiness
Remote pilotage is not only a technical challenge—it is also a human-centred operational concept. NELSON places strong emphasis on understanding the role of the pilot, decision-making processes, workload, and how remote operations may affect situational awareness and communication.
The project explores questions such as:
- How can remote support tools reduce cognitive load and improve clarity in complex situations?
- What information is most critical for safe pilotage, and how should it be presented?
- How can remote and onboard teams maintain shared understanding and effective coordination?
- What procedures and training requirements are needed to ensure safe operations?
“By addressing these matters, NELSON supports the development of remote pilotage in a way that is both realistic and operationally meaningful,” Vainio explains.
Integration With Existing Maritime Services
A central principle in NELSON is that new services should fit into the existing maritime ecosystem. Remote pilotage therefore needs to integrate smoothly with established operational structures such as Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), port operations, and shipboard bridge systems.
NELSON examines how remote pilotage could interact with:
- VTS systems and traffic coordination
- Port call optimisation and arrival planning
- Digital services and real-time environmental data
- Cross-organisational information exchange
This ensures that the concept can be evaluated not only as a standalone capability, but as part of a broader operational picture.
Regulatory and Future Perspectives
Remote pilotage also raises important regulatory questions related to responsibilities, certification, operational limitations, and cybersecurity requirements.
“I believe NELSON contributes to a shared understanding of these topics by studying the regulatory landscape and identifying authority workflows and the conditions under which remote pilotage could be introduced safely," notes Vainio.
The project work supports future discussions by providing evidence and practical insights, thus helping stakeholders explore what is feasible, what is needed, and what should be developed next.
Looking Ahead
Remote pilotage has the potential to become a valuable enabler for future maritime operations by supporting safer navigation, more flexible service delivery, and improved efficiency in busy and complex environments.
“Through NELSON, maritime stakeholders are building a foundation of knowledge and technical readiness that can guide them through the next steps of developing remote pilotage capabilities and in supporting maritime digitalisation,” Vainio concludes.
Disclaimer: This article is produced as part of the NELSON project, co-funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed herein are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. More information about the NELSON project is available on the NELSON project’s website.
Picture: Touko Herranen / Novia
