60th General meeting

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Welcome to EMPA pilots

EMPA is a professional, non-profit organization, created in Antwerp in 1963 by pilots of what was then called the European Community.

Nowadays EMPA represents about 4.500 maritime pilots from 18 European Union member countries, and 6 neighbouring countries: Georgia, Montenegro, Norway, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Regrouping member countries' associations of maritime pilots from the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

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Recent news posts

EMPA at Remote Pilotage days Finland

EMPA at Remote Pilotage Days 2025

Today, the European Maritime Pilots'​ Association (EMPA), represented by President Miguel Vieira de Castro and Vice President & Chairman of the Training and Technical Committee Jose A. Pérez, is attending the Remote Pilotage Days 2025, hosted by Finnpilot Pilotage Oy Ltd in Helsinki .

This key event gathers experts from across Europe and beyond to discuss the future of remote pilotage, with a strong emphasis on digitalisation, remote operations, human factors, and regulatory frameworks.

While EMPA recognises the value of exploring new technologies, our position remains clear: comprehensive risk assessments and rigorous testing of remote pilotage systems are essential to identify potential risks and areas for improvement, ensuring that technological advancements do not compromise the high standards of navigational safety currently upheld by on-site pilots.

We were delighted to meet fellow pilots from Finland, Denmark, Italy, Norway, and Canada, as well as representatives from AMURA – Airam Rodriguez and Agata Polcwiartek, solution providers of EMPAsafe.

A special thanks to Tero Vainio and Finnpilot Pilotage Oy Ltd for their kind invitation and excellent organisation of this event.

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Nordic Pilots Meeting

"The Nordic Pilot associations held their annual Nordic Pilots' meeting in Copenhagen 29-30th of August 2025. Pilots from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland were accompanied by pilots from Estonia and Iceland! A very co-operative and good meeting about important pilotage matters. The Nordic Pilots' common wish is to see the suspended Baltic Pilotage Authorities Commissions (BPAC) meetings reactivated. These meetings between authorities and pilots were an excellent place to share information and ideas to improve the safety of shipping."

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Upcoming events

Tuesday 14-04-2026
Wednesday 15-04-2026

SAVE THE DATE : EMPA 60th General meeting - Ghent Belgium

We are delighted to share that the 60th General Meeting will take place from 14-15th April 2026 in Ghent, Belgium.

Join us as we celebrate this milestone edition with inspiring presentations, valuable networking opportunities, and a look ahead at the future!

It's an unmissable opportunity to share knowledge and strengthen connections.

more details and registration will follow soon, but for now, make sure to mark your calendars!