Introduction
Pilotage services are mandatory in Brazil: any and all
vessels1 that enter and leave a Brazilian port must be
assisted by a pilot. Federal Law 9,432/1997, which establishes the
general rules for waterway transportation in Brazil, states that
pilotage is an essential service and shall be permanently available
(Section 14). Pilots are qualified by public entrance examinations
conducted by the Brazilian Maritime Authority (Diretoria de Portos
e Costas – DPC), and must not refuse to provide services, at
risk of having their licences removed (Section 15, Law 9,432/1997).
The DPC regulates provision of pilotage services in Brazilian
territorial waters.2 All these features bring a strong
quality of public service to pilotage in Brazil.
