Is climate change affecting pilots and ports today?
IMarEST member, maritime pilotage consultant and former head of UK Maritime Pilots Association (UKMPA), Don Cockrill MBE CMMar FNI fears extreme weather is not being taken seriously.
Have you witnessed the effects of climate change over your working life?
Stronger winds, higher tides, fog, downriver flooding, and atmospheric change - they’re not overly dramatic in themselves but when you look over the last 25 years, there’s an increased frequency of what were once extreme events. Before, you had an extreme event and wouldn’t expect it again for a hundred years but that’s no longer the case.
How does extreme weather affect a pilot’s typical working day?
Historically, ports and terminals were developed to deal with winds and weather from a prevailing direction. But we’ve seen an increase in the easterly winds in the south east of the UK, whereas historically they have been predominantly south-westerly. Add to that the issues with visibility – in my part of the world that means fog, heavy rain or snow. In other parts of the world that may be more dust or sand storms. We see water depth changes from increased run-off or extreme higher tides which can be dangerous for berthing. And extreme low water is also a concern.
Does the fuel being burned by a vessel influence the way it is piloted?
When low-sulphur fuels first came in, we were concerned about engine breakdowns but that hasn't manifested itself as much as was first feared. When you look at the energy density of alternative fuels such as methanol compared to diesel, the short answer is possibly. If the ship can’t go quite as fast, that’s not a problem – it’s just a matter of scheduling. But when you think about the available power to manoeuvre, and whether alternative fuels create enough energy to power the propeller to handle the ship in the same way that we are used to, I don’t think pilots are conscious of that. But pilots will adapt – probably through the increased use of tugs on smaller ships than we might currently use.
Will technology allow a pilot to test manoeuvres remotely before undertaking them on the water?
Simulation is already widely used within ports and shipping using accurate modelling for both routine and particularly challenging situations. Digital twins may ultimately evolve for the piloting of autonomous ships. And in 20 years’ time, we’ll probably be familiar with the remote pilotage of relatively sizeable vessels in certain ports.
How can a pilot prepare for climate change?
By being aware. Climate change will affect each and every pilot in each and every port around the world. And pilots will need more training to deal with unexpected extreme conditions. That may be understanding operational limits; for example, that you can’t do a certain job in very strong wind.
Who should provide such training?
You’d expect the port authority to ensure their pilots are trained for the conditions that will prevail. If the pilots work for a cooperative, then the pilots may provide their own training. If they are employed directly by the port authority, then the port should provide the training.
What steps should the maritime and logistics industry take to prepare for severe weather?
I don’t think they’ve woken up to it yet. We hear lots about alternative fuels and carbon footprints but we haven’t seen shipping talking about whether the ships and crews are capable of dealing with increased incidence of extreme weather conditions.
Are port authorities planning sufficiently for the changes that lie ahead?
Ports will need to adapt to operate within more extreme weather conditions. If a port suspends operations today because of wind in a particular direction at say 35-40 knots, consideration should be given as to how to adapt and operate safely in those demanding conditions.
And port development needs to adapt. Developers are still building the quay at the same level it was at 20 years ago. But what’s going to happen in 20 years’ time when we are experiencing a significant rise in sea level and more frequent higher tides and the quay electrics are flooding? We read much about hybrid tugs but little about sea-level rise and port infrastructure . Some sectors of the shipping community seem to believe that if the goals of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 or 2 degrees are met, that all will be ok. But it won’t.
Are pilots part of the climate change discussion?
Pilots are already aware that climate change will affect them but local and national authorities need to involve pilots in wider discussions. In Finland, there is significant pilotage involvement in aspects of maritime development associated with climate change. In the UK, not hugely. In the Philippines, it’s probably different again. And even within countries, it varies from port to port.
The IMPA (International Maritime Pilots’ Association) circulates information to members, which make up more than a third of the global pilotage profession of about 20,000 professionals. I’ve been the IMPA’s representative to NavClimate since the group’s inception. Along with the International Harbour Masters Association, and the International Association of Ports and Harbours, the IMarEST, and the other partners we represent our members and share knowledge.
What role can the IMarEST play to future proof its maritime professionals from a climate change perspective?
The IMarEST has the representation and the voice to highlight the issue of sea-level rises and what that means.
Your parting message for members of the IMarEST on climate change?
It will affect you in your professional life and daily life. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are, it will affect you.
Don Cockrill MBE CMMar FNI is a IMarEST member, maritime pilotage consultant and former head of UK Maritime Pilots Association (UKMPA)
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