THE Australasian Marine Pilots Institute has joined Shipping Australia as a corporate associate member.
AMPI is the professional body that represents marine pilots throughout Australasia. It assists in setting standards and provides support and guidance for pilots in the region with ongoing professional development.
AMPI provides advice to regulators on how to improve operational safety in Australian ports and ensures that member pilots and their organisations continue to lead in world’s best practice.
Together with its partners, AMPI has developed a set of training standards for both initial and continual training for pilots. As a partner of the International Marine Pilots Association, AMPI also has input into important decisions made by the International Maritime Organisation.
AMPI president Peter Dann said AMPI joined Shipping Australia to further engage with industry to help ensure that the pilotage services provided by its members are meeting the needs of shipping stakeholders.
“This engagement is important as it allows AMPI to provide expertise and guidance in an area that is critical for protection, not only for ships, but also for port infrastructure and the surrounding environment. This expertise and guidance will also lead to Shipping Australia members having an enhanced understanding of the processes that are involved in providing a safe and efficient pilotage,” Mr Dann said.
“AMPI is also looking to the future, identifying improved ways of risk managing pilotage as increased automation and autonomy is introduced in the shipping industry. AMPI is here to help.”
Shipping Australia CEO Captain Melwyn Noronha welcomed AMPI as a new member.
“Pilots perform a vital role in ensuring operational safety as ships enter and leave ports – it is a role they have been providing for literally thousands of years, certainly as far back as Ancient Greece and, most probably, ever since people first moved away from the use of coracles to transport goods,” Mr Noronha said.
“We, in the shipping community, have many reasons to be grateful to pilots, who are available for work at all hours and often in poor weather that can present a considerable risk to their personal safety. We are delighted that the AMPI has joined Shipping Australia as their navigation experience and expert insight will be of great benefit to our members.”
