Port & Pilot Commission Summary

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest container port on the East Coast and the second largest in the Nation by cargo volume. The ever-increasing size, capacity, and operational complexity of vessels calling on New York ports continue to test and challenge the Pilotage System. The largest class of container ships calling on New York ports are referred to as Super Ultra Large Container Vessels (SULCVs) and can carry up to 20,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). They now transit New York waters and represent a critical component of the East Coast supply chain. With drafts approaching 50 feet, overall lengths exceeding 1,200 feet, and heights surpassing 18 stories above the waterline, these ships operate with virtually no margin for error in one of the Nation’s most congested and environmentally sensitive waterways. On February 11, 2025, the arrival of the OOCL IRIS at Maher Terminals marked a significant milestone for the Port. The 16,828 TEU vessel is the largest container ship to call on the Port of New York and New Jersey to date. This achievement underscores both the continued growth of the Port and the exceptional skill required of New York State Pilots. The safe navigation of vessels of this scale, in close proximity to some of the Nation’s most important maritime critical infrastructure, demands mastery of tides, currents, weather, traffic density, under-keel clearance, and complex shoreside coordination often under dynamic conditions and at all hours of the day and night.

State Pilots are compulsory pursuant to the Navigation Law of the State of New York. These highly trained and experienced maritime professionals are indispensable to the resiliency of the marine transportation system. Their expertise mitigates risk to life, property, the environment, and critical infrastructure while ensuring the continued safe and efficient flow of commerce through New York’s waters. The tradition of taking aboard a Pilot to guide oceangoing vessels to and from sea is a longstanding and essential maritime practice that dates back thousands of years. Pilots are specially trained professionals who provide a vital role during the safe navigation of ships operating within New York State waters, as well as the waters of Connecticut, New Jersey, and the boundary waters of Long Island Sound. Congress granted States the authority to regulate Pilotage of commercial vessels in Federal Law and regulation (46 USC 8501(A)) which provides that “Pilots in the bays, rivers, harbors and ports of the United States shall be regulated only in conformity with the laws of the States.”

The Board was created by the New York State Legislature, Chapter 467, Laws of 1853, as amended, to implement the competitive selection, licensing, and regulation of State Pilots. The Board’s responsibilities have expanded over the years to include involvement in Apprentice selection and Pilots-in-training; administering State Pilot examinations for an original license and any extension of Pilotage routes; renewing licenses; investigating marine accidents, protecting the environment, and supporting the safety and security of the marine transportation system. To carry out these responsibilities, the Board holds weekly meetings for the purpose of maintaining close oversight of the State Pilotage System, its operations and Pilots.

The Board issues several types of legislatively authorized State Pilot licenses, each covering a separate portion of New York State navigable waters. Each New York State Pilot license is renewed annually. Pilots personally appear before the Board where their training and work performance records are reviewed in conjunction with the State Pilot providing his or her annual vision and physical exam results. The Board also interviews Pilots and Apprentices on safety, security, and educational matters. In addition to licensing, the Board supports advanced education and continuing training opportunities for Pilots. Board members also routinely participate in seminars and conferences on Pilotage and navigational safety with the maritime industry, state, and federal agency representatives to exchange best practices, stay informed on regulatory developments, and promote maritime safety.