Korean Register Issues Technical Information on Pilot Transfer Arrangements Ahead of 2028 IMO Deadline

Korean Register (KR) has released new technical guidelines to assist the maritime industry in preparing for stricter International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations concerning pilot transfer arrangements, equipment used to safely transport pilots on and off vessels. These regulations come into effect on January 1, 2028. KR collaborated with the Korea Maritime Pilots’ Association (KMPA) in developing the guidelines, leveraging pilots' practical knowledge of the inherent risks associated with boarding vessels.

Pilot transfer arrangements, comprising pilot ladders, handholds, securing points, and winches, are crucial safety equipment. Even minor design or installation flaws could lead to severe accidents, given pilots' reliance on these arrangements during vessel transfers. The IMO Maritime Safety Committee approved modifications to SOLAS Regulation V/23 and a new standard for pilot transfer arrangements on June 26, 2025, through resolutions MSC.572(110) and MSC.576(110).

These changes, based on accident investigations and root-cause analyses by the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA), aim to enhance safety and reliability. The amendments raise the minimum breaking strength for securing points, revise deck handhold location guidelines, introduce a new minimum diameter for winch reels, and require a sunken securing point on the reels.

These revised design standards apply to installations on or after January 1, 2028. Ships with older arrangements must comply by the first survey conducted on or after January 1, 2029. Vessels not certified under SOLAS will have until January 1, 2030, for compliance. KR suggests that shipowners and shipyards commence reviewing their newbuilding specifications and retrofitting plans well before the implementation date.

Even for newbuildings set for delivery before 2028, overlooking the revised requirements during the design phase could necessitate costly modifications post-delivery. For already operating vessels, early planning is essential to schedule necessary modifications with drydocking and survey timelines, thereby reducing expenses and operational disruptions.

To facilitate the industry's seamless transition to the enhanced requirements, KR's new technical information outlines significant design modifications and supplementary requirements for existing vessels, employing clear illustrations. The guide also offers a practical checklist to aid design reviews and survey preparations, helping shipowners and shipyards detect potential compliance issues and requisite changes beforehand.

Kyungbok Kim, KR’s Executive Vice President of the Statutory Division, emphasized, "Pilot transfer arrangements are safety equipment directly linked to human life. We urge shipyards and shipowners to initiate their reviews of newbuilding specifications and retrofit plans now, ensuring the strengthened requirements are seamlessly integrated into drydocking and survey schedules with minimal cost and disruption."