Future of Navigational Risk Management

Marine pilotage has long been a cornerstone of safe navigation in Canadian waters. Pilots use their expert knowledge of local waterways to guide ships safely through congested or hazardous areas. Traditionally, this has required physically transferring a pilot onto a vessel, a practice that, while effective, can be logistically challenging, costly, and risky, especially in remote or harsh environments like the Arctic.

Clear Seas’ earlier study on the Technology Implications for Marine Pilotage found that while Canada’s pilotage system is highly advanced, European jurisdictions are further ahead in deploying advanced vessel traffic management and shore-based (remote) pilotage systems. There is a need to assess how these technologies could impact safety, efficiency, and environmental impacts in Canada’s pilotage framework.

This multi-year research initiative will:

• Develop a design concept for a future marine navigation risk management system in Canada.
• Evaluate how advanced vessel traffic management (AVTM) and shore-based pilotage (SBP) could complement or replace traditional practices in select regions.
• Assess the safety, economic, environmental, and social impacts of introducing these technologies.

The project brings together experts from Dalhousie University, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC), and other academic partners, supported by industry, government, and independent research organizations.

The Dalhousie academic team is led by Dr. Floris Goerlandt from the Department of Industrial Engineering and Dr. Ron Pelot from the Department of Industrial Engineering and Marine Affairs Program. At UQAC, the academic team includes Dr. Martin Otis from the Department of Applied Sciences and Dr. Salmata Ouedraogo from the Department of Economics and Administrative Sciences with support from Dr. Marianne Falardeau, Professor of Environmental Sciences at TELUQ.

1. System Design & Simulation – Specification of remote pilotage system features and testing against current and future-state scenarios.
2. Optimization & Deployment Rules – Defining zones and conditions for technology use to balance safety and efficiency.
3. Safety Risk Assessment – Comparing baseline risks with those of future remote pilotage systems, including human factors considerations.
4. Socioeconomic Analysis – Evaluating governance models, incentives, and cost-benefit tradeoffs.
5. Environmental Assessment – Considering impacts on greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, underwater noise, and marine ecosystems.

Funded by the Government of Canada, Mitacs’ Accelerate Program, and the Ports of Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, and Prince-Rupert.

This project will provide evidence-based insights to inform Canada’s approach to future pilotage services. By exploring how advanced technologies can enhance navigational safety, efficiency, and sustainability, the research aims to support a modernized pilotage framework that balances safety, environmental protection, and economic competitiveness.