Quality and Safety

The Dutch Loodswezen B.V. and its marine pilots, ensure that traffic in the shipping lanes runs smoothly and efficiently both to and from ports, whilst guaranteeing the safety and protection of the environment.

The Dutch Loodswezen B.V.’s task is to ensure quality and safety with regards to the office organisation and the transport carried out by their crew. The office organisation continuously strives towards an improved quality. Moreover, the employees of Loodswezen B.V. are highly motivated and are schooled and trained to produce excellent performances.

Transport Department

The department dealing with transportation, which includes the transfer of marine pilots to and from sea-going ships, is in a permanent state of development with regards to quality, and especially safety. For example, Loodwezen has worked together with external nautical engineers to develop their own fleet. The development and improvement of their own equipment, such as the rescue ladder onboard the fast tender, as well as bringing them all up to date with current regulations, has also been a priority. And above all else, the continuous training of the crews to ensure the most efficient and safe use of this equipment, is of up most necessity.

Qualifications marine pilot

The qualifications of marine pilots increase with experience. They are able to sail on vessels of all lengths after ten years of on the job experience, depending on the stretch of water in the different regions. On top of this, they have to undergo continuous training for the duration of their career.

ISPO project

The ISPO (International Standard for Maritime Pilots Organisation) is a set of international standards or guidelines initiated by the IMPA (International Maritime pilots Association). The ISPO standards are being developed further in Europe under the supervision of the EMPA (European Maritime Pilots Association). Both institutes are busy developing voluntary international standards that can be applied to all pilots and their organisations. A concept has been available since 1999 concerning a general code and guidelines for bringing about the ISPO. A workgroup, put together by the IMPA, is planning to optimise the ISPO and develop the concept. The workgroup has selected four ports in which these guidelines have been set, in order to reach a better understanding of whether they will work and their feasibility. Rotterdam, as the world’s number one port, and Loodsencorporatie Rotterdan-Rijnmond, Europe’s largest pilot corporation, have both been selected and play a crucial role in the whole process.

Rotterdam has been in the possession of a ISPO certificate since January 2005.