Remote Pilotage Places Higher Demands on the Pilot but the Technology is Ready
In the photo from left to right: Iiro Törmä, Jussi Vaahtikari (ESL Shipping), Tero Vainio (Finnpilot), Mirva Salokorpi, Jukka Häkkinen, Touko Herranen, and Pontus Boström (Groke Technologies) from the MVP project’s steering group meeting in Helsinki on 18 December 2025.
The MVP Remote Pilotage project for remote pilotage has been completed, and the results are considered very successful overall. The project’s main funder is Business Finland, and it is coordinated by the Novia University of Applied Sciences. Other participants include Finnpilot Pilotage Oy, Furuno Finland, Brighthouse Intelligence, Groke Technologies, Kongsberg Maritime Finland, and Fintraffic Oy.
The goal of the project was to develop operational concepts and technical solutions to enable a safe and internationally scalable remote pilotage service after the project’s conclusion. During the project, technical challenges arose, particularly related to data communication, but these did not hinder development work. On the contrary, they provided valuable knowledge for further system development.
“Overall, the project has been very useful. From the outset, the aim was to create a foundation for the next phase of development, and this has been successfully achieved,” says Finnpilot’s Chief Technology Officer, Tero Vainio.
Shared situational awareness plays a crucial role
One of the project’s central themes was shared situational awareness in remote pilotage. Research focused on how a common understanding between the ship’s master and the remote pilot can be ensured using technology.
The project has confirmed which areas the development work should focus on. At the same time, risk points have been identified, particularly regarding communication and situational awareness.
In some areas, results exceeded expectations. In particular, the human factors research led by psychologist and researcher Jukka Häkkinen provided new and detailed insights into how remote pilotage affects the pilot’s work.
Technology enables it but connectivity is key
Regarding technology, data communication at sea is still considered the biggest challenge. However, tests have shown that remote pilotage already works reliably on coastal routes.
“Satellite connections such as Starlink enable remote pilotage almost anywhere. It is primarily a matter of costs and the volume of data transmitted, not a lack of technology,” says Tero Vainio.
In further development, the focus is on optimizing data usage to make connections even more reliable and cost-effective.
Remote pilotage increases cognitive load for the pilot
The extensive human factors study conducted within the MVP project was based on simulator trials comparing remote pilotage with traditional bridge pilotage. The study used, among other things, eye-tracking cameras, video recordings, simulator data, and detailed analysis of verbal communication.
“No comparable comprehensive study has previously been conducted in the context of remote pilotage,” says Jukka Häkkinen.
A key finding is that remote pilotage is cognitively more demanding than traditional pilotage. The pilot has access to less sensory-based information, increasing the need for conscious thinking and active communication.
“When visual and social information decreases, the workload increases and the significance of errors is heightened,” Häkkinen explains.
Furthermore, the remote pilot has more limited possibilities to intervene directly in a situation, leading to more cautious and conservative decision-making. Social presence is reduced, which is particularly evident in increased communication workload during disruption situations.
The whole system is crucial
The research does not conclude that remote pilotage is particularly risky or impossible. In simulator tests, pilots handled even very demanding situations successfully.
“Individual technology does not solve everything. The goal is to minimize cognitive load and strengthen social presence through a holistic solution,” summarizes Jukka Häkkinen.
Key factors include high-quality video, a shared visual situational picture, standardized communication, and carefully executed briefings. Pilots must also be given sufficient cognitive safety margin for exceptional situations.
Looking toward international continuation
The MVP Remote Pilotage project serves as the foundation for the NELSON project, coordinated by Fintraffic VTS. The goal is to develop a functional and internationally unified remote pilotage service within three years. Participants include, among others, Swedish maritime authorities, the Meteorological Institute, Aalto University, Finnpilot, and several Finnish and Spanish companies and port authorities.
“The goal is to create an internationally profitable and safe operational model for remote pilotage that benefits both shipping companies and pilotage organizations,” says Tero Vainio.