Certain boats in docking in Darwin Harbour will no longer be required to use a Pilot.
The standing exemption limit for compulsory pilotage will be increased from 35m vessels to 55m vessels..
The changes will be implemented from January 2 next year and are set to reduce demand for pilotage services by up to 20 per cent.
Around 3,250 vessels need to use pilotage services in the harbour every year, which takes an average of 4.5 hours each time.
Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan says the shortage has been a problem for years.
“The uncertainty around the future lease of the Port, tied to the Australian Government’s election commitments, has also made it harder to recruit and retain these highly skilled workers.”
“This reform brings the Northern Territory closer into alignment with Queensland’s current standing exemptions, and will help free up pilots for the larger, more complex vessel movements,” he says.
