Enhancing Pilotage Operations: Insights from Antonio A. Sánchez Romero at Cádiz Bay

1. As both a working pilot and the Práctico Presidente at Corporación de Prácticos de Cádiz, how do these dual roles shape your perspective on pilotage operations?
 
Stepping into the role of Práctico Presidente at the Corporación de Prácticos de Cádiz fundamentally raises the level of engagement required. This leadership position demands oversight across all divisions comprising the Corporation’s structure, presenting a highly challenging responsibility—especially for a service that operates continuously, twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year.

Transitioning from an experienced pilot to a presidential role brings a complete shift in perspective. The new responsibilities open up a complex universe of interconnected matters, revealing the intricacies of a dynamic 365/24 operation that relies on the coordination of numerous roles. As President, you encounter and manage facets from every part of the organization, gaining insight and influence over each.

This broader perspective, shaped by experience in both piloting and leadership, provides a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within pilotage operations at the Port of Cadiz.

2. As a leader, how do you approach decision-making when it comes to adopting new pilotage technologies?

Maritime business is evolving rapidly on a global scale, with most attention focused on advancements in technology, digitalization, and artificial intelligence.

However, other key aspects must be considered. The experience provided by the Pilot Corporation, grounded in safety, is transferred to the ship’s master by the pilot. Establishing a high level of mutual confidence in a short time is essential, and soft skills are the primary tools to achieve this.

While pilotage operations are fundamentally similar worldwide, local procedures are increasingly interconnected; the internet now allows pilots to stay updated on practices across the globe.

The International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) is developing common guidelines to further standardize pilotage procedures.

Any improvement, whether it be a new procedure or technological innovation, is carefully evaluated before being integrated into operations.

All these factors contribute to establishing standardized pilotage protocols. Within this context, decision-making processes that incorporate new pilotage technologies rely exclusively on the level of confidence and accuracy provided by such technology.
If the new technology does not provide this capability, it will not be adopted by pilots.

3. What unique navigational challenges does the Port of Cadiz present that might not be found in other European ports?

Diversity of Pilotage Operations
Cádiz Bay Harbour, situated on the Atlantic, encompasses a broad spectrum of pilotage activities. It serves not only as a commercial port but also accommodates navy bases, shipyards, offshore facilities, fishing fleets, container terminals, dry and liquid bulk cargo, ro-ro vessels, cruise liners, and recreational boating. This diversity creates a truly complex landscape for pilotage operations.

Challenging Environmental Conditions
Pilots at Cádiz Bay handle everything from small general cargo vessels to the largest ships, all while contending with strong tidal currents, shifting winds, and navigation within restricted waters. While such conditions might be familiar to pilotage services around the world, Cádiz distinguishes itself through its frequent and unique offshore projects and dry-docking operations.

Dry-Docking and Off-Shore Expertise
Dry-docking maneuvers are rare in the career of most captains. However, with three shipyards and ongoing offshore construction, pilots in Cádiz Bay regularly oversee these intricate operations. Their extensive experience is a valuable asset offered to ship captains, ensuring safety and precision during these challenging procedures.

Coordination and Technological Support
Beyond navigational difficulty, the true challenge lies in coordinating the multiple actors involved in each operation. To facilitate this, Cádiz Bay pilots utilize eMPX software and Portable Pilot Units (PPU) to document maneuvers and share their expertise with captains, fostering cooperative and informed decision-making.



4. How has the practice of pilotage in Cadiz evolved during your career?

I began my career as a pilot in Cadiz Bay in 2006. Since that time, the maritime industry has experienced continuous evolution, and the harbour itself has undergone significant changes, including the addition of new basins and berths. The shift towards global markets has driven economies of scale, resulting in the arrival of ever-larger vessels.

Harbour services have also advanced, with the introduction of new tugboats, improved procedures, and the adoption of digital technologies.

In my view, the most essential factor remains unchanged: the nature of the pilot’s role. The pilot advises the captain, and a relationship of utmost trust must be established in a very short period. Every operation carries high levels of responsibility, with considerable risks to people, assets, port facilities, and the environment.

5. What aspects of Cadiz's maritime traffic do you find most challenging as a pilot?
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Challenges in Maritime Traffic: The Role of Dry-Docking Operations and Human Factors
Dry-docking operations present unique challenges for pilots in Cadiz Bay. These challenges arise not only from the inherent complexity of the maneuvers but are also closely linked to human factors. For many captains, dry-docking is a relatively rare occurrence during their seafaring careers.

However, pilots in Cádiz Bay routinely manage such operations, given the presence of three distinct shipyards and offshore building facilities in the area. Their frequent involvement in these maneuvers sets a demanding standard for skill and coordination.

The use of PPUs has become an invaluable asset in handling these operations. PPUs assist pilots in developing a shared mental model for the maneuvers, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making. Recordings of prior similar vessel operations are reviewed during the Master-Pilot Exchange (MPX) process, providing critical insights and preparation. Additionally, the ability to incorporate various navigational layers—such as designated no-go areas and minimum depth areas—through the PPU’s layer editing tool further improves safety and efficiency during dry-docking procedures.

6. How is the Port of Cadiz adapting to accommodate increasingly larger vessels?

The increasing size of vessels and marine structures is a global trend that has firmly established itself in modern maritime operations. In this new reality, port environments often feel constricted, and traditional visual methods, even those honed by years of experience, are no longer sufficient. The challenges are particularly pronounced when attempting to fully grasp the scale and positioning from the conning position at the wing of a 400-meter vessel, especially when high container stacks obscure the view both fore and aft.

The adoption of PPUs has transformed the pilot’s perspective. With PPU technology, pilots gain an enhanced, almost “hawk eye” view of their surroundings. This digital situational awareness provides a level of clarity and confidence that surpasses human observation alone, empowering pilots to manage ever-larger vessels within the increasingly complex confines of modern harbours.

7. What initially convinced you to implement SafePilot technology?

The initial exposure to SafePilot technology came in 2015 at the Port of Rotterdam. Observing its use firsthand left a strong impression, and, over the following years, it became evident that pilot organizations around the world were increasingly integrating this technology into their daily routines.

By 2020, the Cádiz Bay pilots faced the demanding KINKARDINE Project involving a wind energy marine structure. Collaborating closely with Trelleborg, they were able to upgrade the aging submergible barge used for the LOAD OUT operation. The installation of a CAT MAX system brought back reliable self-positioning capabilities, demonstrating the efficacy of modern navigation technology in complex operations.