LogisticsISCO 4323

Ship pilot dispatcher

A ship pilot dispatcher is a person who coordinates the entry of ships into a port and their departure from it.

Check yourself in a minute: ship pilot dispatcher

Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

operate radio equipment

guide ships into docks

monitor the validity of ship certificates

stay up-to-date with maritime transportation technology

liaise with port users

About ship pilot dispatcher

The dispatcher draws up the order containing the ship's name, the berth, the name of the towage company and the times of entry and departure, then notifies the maritime pilot that the assignment has been allocated. An error in the order can send a pilot to the wrong berth or a tug to the wrong ship.

The dispatcher operates radio equipment and cooperates with transport services and with port users, including agents, terminals, towage companies and pilots, on whom the timing of a movement depends.

The dispatcher receives the pilotage accounts from the pilot on return from a ship, records the charges due on the basis of those accounts using the rates in the tariff, and prepares reports on the work done, such as the number of ships piloted and the charges levied. A register of ships entering the port is kept, giving the owner, the ship's name, the displacement, the agent and the country of registration. The dispatcher measures a ship's tonnage, prepares documentation for international consignments, monitors the validity of a ship's certificates, provides accurate information on the waterways, and knows the port entry operations.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

international tariffsinternational tariffsThe international tariffs, taxes, or duties that must be paid on a particular class of import or export materials.dock operationsdock operationsThe different operations that take place in docks, primarily those concerned with the incoming and outgoing of cargo shipments, and the logistics activities relating to cranes, containers, and shipmen...operate radio equipmentoperate radio equipmentSet up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in ...guide ships into docksguide ships into docksSafely guide a ship into a dock and anchor it.write dock recordswrite dock recordsWrite and manage dock records in which all information about ships entering and leaving docks is registered. Ensure the collection and reliability of the information displayed in records.monitor the validity of ship certificatesmonitor the validity of ship certificatesControl and monitor validity of the ship’s certificate and other official documents to be carried on board.stay up-to-date with maritime transportation technologystay up-to-date with maritime transportation technologyGather information about the current trends in maritime transportation technology and stay up-to-date with the latest findings in the field. Apply this knowledge in operations and decision-making whil...liaise with port usersliaise with port usersCommunicate and cooperate with port users such as shipping agents, freight customers and port managers.measure ship tonnagemeasure ship tonnageMeasure ships to identify cargo hold and storage capacities.review ship documentationreview ship documentationReview ship documentation related to cargo shipping permits, public health information, crew members and activities, and other compliance regulation.provide accurate information on water routesprovide accurate information on water routesProvide skippers or captains with accurate and timely information on all vessel movements and relevant river or sea information accordingly.liaise with transportation servicesliaise with transportation servicesServe as an intermediary between the customer and various transportation services.prepare documentation for international shippingprepare documentation for international shippingPrepare and process official documents for international shipping.
Optional (7) — show
International Maritime Organisation conventionsInternational Maritime Organisation conventionsThe fundamental principles and requirements laid in the different conventions issued by the International Maritime Organisation.maritime telecommunicationsmaritime telecommunicationsKnowledge of transmission, broadcasting equipment and overall operation of telecommunications systems.act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.ensure that shipment contents correspond with shipping documentationensure that shipment contents correspond with shipping documentationEnsure that the content of shipments corresponds with the respective shipping documentation.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.match vessels to shipping routesmatch vessels to shipping routesUnderstand how particular types of ships are transport different kinds of cargo and operate on different shipping routes. Know the current maritime routes to plan and schedule the arrival and departur...

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

Frequently asked questions

What does a ship pilot dispatcher do?

Ship pilot dispatchers coordinate ships entering or leaving port. They write orders showing name of ship, berth, tugboat company, and time of arrival or departure, and notify the maritime pilot of assignment. They obtain receipts of pilotage from the pilot upon return from ship. Ship pilot dispatchers also record charges on receipt, using tariff book as guide, compile reports of activities, such as number of ships piloted and charges made, and keep records of ships entering port, showing owner, name of ship, displacement tonnage, agent, and country of registration.

What skills does a ship pilot dispatcher need?

A ship pilot dispatcher needs 13 essential skills, including international tariffs, dock operations, operate radio equipment, guide ships into docks, write dock records.

Will AI replace ship pilot dispatcher jobs?

The AI disruption score for ship pilot dispatcher is 75/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: ensure that shipment contents correspond with shipping documentation, international tariffs, monitor the validity of ship certificates. Most resilient: act reliably, liaise with port users, have computer literacy.

AI Replacement Risk

75/ 100
Very High Risk
Low riskHigh risk

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Quick Facts

SectorLogistics
ISCO GroupNumerical and material recording clerks
Essential Skills13

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