WITH marine pilots in worldwide demand, the Port of Port Hedland has introduced a new model.

Pilbara Ports CEO Samuel McSkimming told Daily Cargo News that because the port has a challenging, tidally constrained marine channel, highly skilled marine pilots were needed to navigate large vessels in and out of the port.

The new delivery model comprises a team of Pilbara Ports employed pilots and external service providers to ensure reliability and continuity of marine pilot services in readiness for when the existing arrangements end in June 2025.

Under the existing delivery model, all marine pilots are employed by a contractor.

“We have engaged Auriga as the first external service provider in Port Hedland,” Mr McSkimming said.

“The new model has four key elements: first, a substantial increase in the number of pilots working at the port, from around 24, to 40 pilots (inclusive of both employed and contractor pilots); second, employing, where possible, Western Australian residents, to reduce reliance on east-coast based pilots; third, adopting a mix of both employed pilots and third-party contractors, with the latter subject to regular market testing; and, fourth, the port authority, not the contractor, now controls all training programs, to ensure that consistent, rigorous and efficient standards are applied.”

Pilot delays are already down by 65% from January to June 2024 compared to the same period last year, according to Mr McSkimming.

“As part of plans to transition to the new model, Pilbara Ports pilots are undergoing extensive on-water training, and this has helped to reduce pilot delays when the incumbent provider has been unable to meet demand.

“The net benefit of reduced delays for Pilbara Ports customers is that vessels keep to their arrival and departure schedule, which ensures the efficient and effective running of the global supply chain.”

While Costs associated with the new model will be higher because of a greater number of pilots employed, it ensures the continuity of port operations and the ability to meet growing demand.

“We have also added costs associated with greater training standards. For example, we have invested in a marine simulator in Port Hedland’s West End.”

An objective of the new model is to engage, wherever possible, West Australian-based pilots, including pilots who live in Port Hedland.

“The experience of Covid border closures, during which pilot travel was restricted, highlighted the risk that travel interruptions could impact on a FIFO operation.”

Mr McSkimming said most of their pilots have been recruited from within Australia, but they have also recruited pilots from the UK, Sweden and South Africa.

“Initial recruiting for the Pilbara Ports pilotage team is now complete, with 26 employed pilots.

“We will need to increase pilot numbers in the future to keep pace with growth in our ports. An advantage of the new model is that we can increase numbers either through direct employment, or through contractors, depending on the circumstances at the time.

“We are currently undergoing an EOI process to expand pilot numbers through contractors, predominantly to cover growth in the West Pilbara. An Expression of Interest for the provision of a pool of pilots for up to eight pilot posts for the Ports of Port Hedland, Dampier and Ashburton closed on 8 November 2024.

“The EoI process will enable Pilbara Ports to stabilise port services, expand pilotage capacity, ensure scalability for future growth, enhance pilot expertise and maintain world class efficiency and emergency response standards.”