Legal framework on pilotage in Croatia with special regard to 2021 amendments to the Ordinance on Sea pilotage

Abstract

Sea Pilotage in Croatia is regulated by the Croatian Maritime Code and the Ordinance on Sea pilotage. The Croatian Maritime Code contains general provisions on pilotage and defines non-compulsory pilotage, while the Ordinance on Sea pilotage determines what should be considered compulsory pilotage but also comprises provisions on pilotage company, pilots and Pilotage Exemption Certificate. Both of these legislations have been amended lately in order to align policies among themselves and with international and/or EU requirements. This paper gives an overview of contemporary legal framework of maritime pilotage in Croatia with a special reference to 2021 Amendments to the Ordinance. By using descriptive, comparative and compiling research method, the author analyzes the most important changes introduced by these amendments with the purpose to establish the level of alignment of relevant regulations as well as to assess if current provisions represent appropriate legal solutions of this important maritime institute.