The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has acknowledged that the entrances to the Baltic Sea are difficult to navigate, and that large ships and ships carrying dangerous goods constitute a potential danger of pollution of the entrances and the entire Baltic Sea. Consequently, the IMO has approved resolution MSC. 138(76) calling upon masters of certain ships to make use of the pilot services provided when navigating through the entrances to the Baltic Sea.
In September 2001, the Ministers responsible for maritime shipping and the environment in the Baltic Sea States and a representative of the European Community agreed during a HELCOM Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting that the masters of ships covered by the above-mentioned IMO resolutions should be informed of these recommendations.
Pilotage through Danish waters will usually be ordered for the following legs:
In September 2001, the Ministers responsible for maritime shipping and the environment in the Baltic Sea States and a representative of the European Community agreed during a HELCOM Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting that the masters of ships covered by the above-mentioned IMO resolutions should be informed of these recommendations.
- In this respect, resolution MSC.138(76) (ANNEX 2) recommends that while navigating through the Sound,
- loaded oil tankers with a draft of 7 metres or more,
- loaded chemical tankers and gas carriers irrespective of size, and
- ships carrying a shipment of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel (INF) cargo make use of the pilot services provided.
- Resolution MSC.138(76) recommends that ships navigating through route T,
- with a draft of more than 11 m, and
- ships carrying a shipment of INF cargo make use of the pilot services provided.
Pilotage through Danish waters will usually be ordered for the following legs:
| Southbound directions - Boarding position | |
| Skaw – Bornholm | 57º47’1 N – 10º37’0 E |
| Skaw – Gedser | 57º47’1 N – 10º37’0 E |
| Skaw – Spodsbjerg | 57º47’1 N – 10º37’0 E |
| Skaw – Drogden | 57º47’1 N – 10º44’0 E |
| Pilot change at Elsinore | 56º07’5 N - 12º31’0 E |
| Grenaa – Gedser | 56º23’6 N – 11º05’0 E |
| Grenaa – Spodsbjerg | 56º23’6 N – 11º05’0 E |
| Elsinore – Drogden | 56º07’5 N – 12º30’0 E |
| Elsinore – Bornholm | 56º07’5 N – 12º30’0 E |
| Middelgrund – Drogden | 55º45’0 N - 012º41’0 E |
| Northbound directions - Boarding position | |
| Bornholm – Skaw | 55º16’0 N – 14º55’0 E |
| Bornholm – Elsinore | 55º16’0 N – 14º55’0 E |
| Drogden – Elsinore | 55º31’0 N – 12º43’0 E |
| Drogden – Middelgrund | 55º31’0 N – 12º43’0 E |
| Gedser – Skaw | 54º36’7 N – 12º15’6 E |
| Gedser - Grenaa | 54º36’7 N – 12º15’6 E |
| Spodsbjerg – Grenaa | 54º47’5 N – 10º52’5 E (Route H) 54º45’9 N – 10º49’0 E (Route T) |
| Spodsbjerg – Skaw | 54º47’5 N – 10º52’5 E (Route H) 54º45’9 N – 10º49’0 E (Route T) |
In both southbound and northbound directions, the number of pilots and the station to which they are assigned depends on the draft of the vessel. If the draft exceeds 11 metres and pilotage has been ordered, there will always be a pilot boarding at either Grenaa or Spodsbjerg, depending on direction. If non-stop pilotage is requested, two pilots will board at the same time for an additional fee.
When sailing Danish inner- and outer territorial waters, following rules apply:
When sailing Danish inner- and outer territorial waters, following rules apply:
- According to the Danish pilotage rules, §4, pilotage is compulsory for vessels sailing Danish inner- and outer territorial waters when:
- Vessel is loaded with oil or has tanks which are not cleaned or inerted.
- Vessel is loaded with chemicals.
- Vessel is loaded with gas.
- Vessel is carrying more than 5.000 mts bunkers.
- Vessel is loaded with radioactive material.