A licensed mariner with extensive local knowledge who embarks on a vessel to advise the master on safe navigation through restricted waters, harbour approaches, and during berthing and unberthing operations. Pilotage is compulsory in most commercial ports worldwide.
Category: Port & Terminal Operations
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Draft SurveyA method of determining the weight of cargo loaded or discharged from a vessel by reading the vessel's draft marks before and after cargo operations.Gantry CraneA large overhead crane used in container terminals to load and discharge containers from vessels.JettyA structure extending from the shore into the water to provide a berthing facility for vessels, typically narrower than a quay or wharf.QuayA solid structure built parallel to the shoreline where vessels berth for loading and discharging cargo.StevedoreA company or individual responsible for the loading and discharging of cargo from vessels in port.STS CraneShip-to-Shore crane, a type of gantry crane specifically designed for loading and discharging containers between vessels and the quay.
Back to DictionaryEntry updated May 2026