Port and pilotage standards and guidelines

Port safety plan guidelines are directed to port operators to assist them in the development of port safety plans as required under the law. To find out more, read the Ports Management Act 2015.

The guidelines apply to all designated ports in the Northern Territory (NT).

Read the port safety plan guidelines PDF (325.8 KB).

Regional harbourmaster's directions are issued to clarify or direct the control, movement and behaviour of vessels in the interests of safety and navigation.

Directions may apply to all designated ports in the NT or to particular ports or activities.

Get the latest regional harbourmaster's directions.

Pilotage technical and safety standards are published and maintained for each port in the NT.

These standards include all of the following:

• minimum standards for pilotage service providers
• privileges of pilot licence use
• how to get, upgrade or renew a pilot licence
• privileges of a pilotage exemption certificate (PEC)
• how to get, upgrade or renew a PEC.

Read the Darwin pilotage standard:

Pilotage standard - Port of Darwin PDF (1.7 MB)
Pilotage standard - Port of Darwin DOCX (656.8 KB)

All vessels 35 metres or greater in length within the compulsory pilotage area must either carry a licensed pilot or be under the lawful command of a master who holds a valid pilotage exemption certificate.

Read more about pilotage exemption certificates.

Pilotage is the most important risk control applied to the hazards associated with shipping in ports.

The fact sheet outlines what pilotage is and who is responsible in the NT.

Read the pilotage fact sheet PDF (469.6 KB).