About us
About us
The Italian Federation of Harbor Pilotswas officially established on March 20, 1947. In the hall of the Library of the Ministry of Merchant Marine, the National Assembly resolved to establish the Italian Federation of Harbor Pilots’ Corps, electing a Board of Directors and appointing the Federation’s first President, Commander Cesare Rosasco, recipient of the Military Valor Medal and Chief Pilot of the Port of Genoa.
Since then, the Federation has been safeguarding the ethical, moral, and economic interests of Italian Harbor Pilots.
In 1963, Fedepiloti was part of the founding core of the European Maritime Pilots’ Association (EMPA), which today brings together over 5,000 pilots from 23 European countries. It is also a member of the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA), which represents pilots from all continents and operates within the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with a permanent representation, particularly in the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC).
The Harbor Pilot
Harbor Pilots are organized into Guilds, currently 32, operating in Italian ports where pilotage is mandatory, as established by specific ministerial decrees. In addition to the role of Harbor Pilot, which is accessed through a public selection exam, the Italian regulatory framework also recognizes the roles of Pilotage Officer (as per Article 102 of the Navigation Code Regulations) and Local Pilot (as per Article 96 of the Navigation Code) in ports where no official Pilot Guild has been established. Entry into the profession of Harbor Pilot is granted through a public competition based on qualifications and exams.
The Guilds provide pilotage services through participating Harbor Pilots. Each Guild serves as the frontline of port safety, with pilots acting as the first point of contact between a vessel and the shore. They are the first link in the port logistics chain. Guilds are public entities with legal personality, established by Presidential Decree (D.P.R.). They fall within the framework of indirect administration of maritime navigation and serve a public interest purpose: ensuring navigation safety.
The primary duty of Harbor Pilots is to advise on navigation and assist the ship’s Captain in determining maneuvers within port waters. This is made possible by their in-depth knowledge of local operational procedures and meteorological and maritime conditions. Additionally, Harbor Pilots act as direct liaisons with the Maritime Authority, reporting directly to the Port Captain. They play a central role in maritime safety, port security, and marine environmental protection.
