With formal approval from the Danish Emergency Management Agency, maritime innovators DanPilot and Danelec have initiated the world’s first legally sanctioned remote pilotage trial. This landmark program will test AI-enhanced ship guidance systems that could eliminate the need for physical pilot transfers.
The approval marks a significant step towards a technological paradigm shift, opening new possibilities for safety, climate action, and operational efficiency in the maritime sector.
After six years of development, Denmark is taking a historic step towards a more efficient and digital maritime infrastructure. The test program created by DanPilot and Danelec allows pilots to guide ships from land, using only advanced data transmitted directly from the vessels.
The aim is to improve pilot safety and reduce fuel consumption for ships – all without compromising navigational safety. In this way, remote pilotage can support Denmark’s maritime leadership in the shift towards safer and more sustainable shipping.
“Remote pilotage makes our work safer and helps reduce both CO₂ emissions and operational costs for our customers. We have worked intensively towards this for six years, and now we can finally test it in practice. It has the potential to become a major paradigm shift in how pilotage is carried out,”- Erik Merkes Nielsen, CEO of DanPilot
The approval has been granted as part of a broader effort to enhance safety and preparedness at sea. The test will serve as a foundation for future regulation and possible broader application – both nationally and internationally.
The remote pilotage program will take place in the Kattegat and the western Baltic Sea. For the first time, it allows pilots to guide selected ships through Danish waters without boarding them physically. Instead, the operation is carried out from a control center in the city of Randers – removing the most hazardous part of a pilot’s job: the physical boarding of ships.
“Remote pilotage is not only a technological breakthrough – it is a strategic step towards safer and more sustainable shipping. We are proud to deliver the technological infrastructure that enables safe navigation without the physical presence of a pilot. Here, cybersecurity – a cornerstone of our technology – is a prerequisite for implementing the solution safely and at scale in the global maritime sector,” – Casper Jensen, CEO of Danelec
For the maritime sector, remote pilotage offers significant benefits. Ships no longer need to alter course or speed to embark a pilot, which leads to lower fuel consumption. At the same time, the need for pilot boats is eliminated in relevant scenarios – saving both fuel and logistics resources without compromising operational safety.
During the test phase, the technology will only be used on vessels that meet specific technical requirements and only in designated waters. The solution is expected to be relevant for up to 10 percent of DanPilot’s pilotage operations in Danish waters.
The test is conducted in collaboration with a range of shipping companies, including Maersk, which contributes ships operating in the test area.
How Remote, Data-Driven Pilotage works
Remote pilotage is based on Danelec’s technology, which collects and transmits key data from the ship – including course, speed, and position – via the ship’s Voyage Data Recorder (VDR). This data is transmitted in real time to DanPilot’s control center in Randers. Here, the pilot uses Danelec’s software to analyze the information and provide accurate navigational guidance – without being physically present on board.
The test period will last up to 18 months and include approximately 50 pilotages
- Pilotage is conducted from the control center in Randers
- Applies to vessels in the Kattegat and western Baltic Sea with a draft under 13 meters
- Carried out only during transits that do not require compulsory pilotage
