DanPilot Launches World’s First Remote Pilotage Trial

With official approval from the Danish Emergency Management Agency, DanPilot and Danelec have begun a groundbreaking trial of remote pilotage—the first initiative of its kind globally.

This pioneering program, jointly developed by DanPilot and Danelec, enables maritime pilots to steer vessels from shore, relying entirely on sophisticated data streams sent directly from the ships.

“The approval marks a significant step towards a technological paradigm shift, opening new possibilities for safety, climate action, and operational efficiency in the maritime sector,” DanPilot stated in a press release.

The trial will span 18 months and focus on the Kattegat and western Baltic Sea. For the first time, selected ships navigating Danish waters will be piloted without requiring onboard guidance. Instead, operations will be conducted from a remote control center located in Randers. This eliminates the need for physical boarding—a process often considered the most dangerous part of a pilot's job.

“Remote pilotage makes our work safer and helps reduce both CO₂ emissions and operational costs for our customers. We have worked intensively towards this for six years, and now we can finally test it in practice. It has the potential to become a major paradigm shift in how pilotage is carried out,” said Erik Merkes Nielsen, CEO of DanPilot.

The remote pilotage project represents a significant advancement in maritime innovation, promising improved safety and sustainability across the sector.