The IMPA Safety Campaign 2025 is an annual initiative dedicated to improving the safety of pilot transfer arrangements worldwide.
This year’s results reveal that observed non-compliance remains high, at 14%, based on over 5,000 reports received in May 2025. This underscores the ongoing need for strict compliance and shared responsibility among all parties involved.
The International Maritime Organization has adopted amendments to SOLAS and a new mandatory performance standard to enhance the safety of pilot transfer operations. IMPA said this step change to a mandatory regime is the most significant regulatory contribution to the safety of maritime pilots on duty in a generation. The amendments to SOLAS build on existing requirements, recommendations and industry standards, whilst introducing critical changes. For example, pilot ladders and manropes will now be treated as consumables, to be replaced automatically no later than 36 months after the date of manufacture, and self-certification by manufacturers is no longer an option due to a tighter type-approval regime. The new performance standards also align with ISO 799 parts 1, 2 and 3 in key areas, including the design, arrangement and rigging of trapdoors. In response to a study by NC2 and commissioned by IMPA, the new performance standards also require dedicated means of securing pilot ladders at intermediate lengths.
Captain Simon Pelletier, President of the International Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA), said “Maritime pilots deliver an extremely effective public service. The IMO has taken the most significant step in a generation to make doing that work safer. IMPA appreciates the support we have received across member States at IMO, and the outcome is testament to what can be achieved when pilots’ organisations around the world work together.” IMPA Safety Campaign 2024 headlines:
• 14% non-compliance rate
• 5285 reports
• Number of pilots participating of >940
• Highest rates of noncompliance found in Africa (24%) and Oceania (22%)
• No significant change to historic noncompliance trends
• Pilot ladders remain the leading source of non-compliant observations
• 10% of non-compliant pilot ladders were not secured to a strongpoint
• 85% of non-compliant observations were not reported to port State authorities
Read the report: IMPA Safety Campaign 2025