DIMAR regulates the promotion to master practical pilots in Barranquilla

The General Maritime Directorate (DIMAR) established the requirements and training required for first-class practical pilots of Barranquilla to be promoted to the category of master, through Resolution 0709-2026 MD-DIMAR-DIRECCIÓN, dated July 15, 2026. The regulation adds Chapter 2B to Title 1 of Part 3 of REMAC 3 and was published in Official Gazette number 53,649 on Monday, October 5, 2026, on page 18.

The resolution is issued based on Article 67 of Law 658 of 2001 and numerals 2 and 4 of Article 2 of Decree 5057 of 2009, which empower the General Maritime Director to issue technical regulations for maritime activities. Article 4 of Law 658 of 2001 establishes that pilotage activity is mandatory for all national and foreign flagged vessels of more than two hundred (200) Gross Register Tons (G.R.T.) that perform pilotage maneuvers or navigation.

DIMAR argued that it was necessary to establish the manner in which the training of first-class practical pilots will be carried out who, for operational reasons and in recognition of their experience and professional level, request promotion to master within the jurisdiction of the Barranquilla Port Captaincy. The measure is incorporated into REMAC 3 “Seafarers, shore support and companies”.

Requirements to authorize training

The pilotage company endorsing the training must submit a reasoned request to the National Maritime Authority. The required requirements are:

• Accredit a period of exercise of pilotage activity in the jurisdiction of Barranquilla for a minimum time of 10 years.
• Accredit the performance of a minimum of 400 maneuvers as a first-class pilot in that jurisdiction.
• Hold a valid pilotage license for the jurisdiction of Barranquilla.

Thirty maneuvers between Cartagena and Santa Marta

The training of the requesting pilot will be carried out personally and individually. The applicant for the category change must perform training maneuvers in the jurisdictions of Cartagena and/or Santa Marta, with a minimum of thirty (30) maneuvers: fifteen (15) daytime and fifteen (15) nighttime, in one of said jurisdictions.

Control will be maintained by the Port Captaincy of the jurisdiction where the training takes place, in the Practical Pilots Control Book and according to the format determined by the National Maritime Authority; the record must be signed by the instructor pilot, the ship’s captain, and the port captain. Supervision corresponds to the lead pilot of the maneuver, responsible for the comprehensive development of the training, and certification to the port captain or the person they designate.

Certificate, exam and minimum grade

Training is considered completed when the Barranquilla Port Captaincy issues the pilotage training completion certificate, based on the maneuvers certified by the captaincies of Cartagena and Santa Marta, which must state the date and time of execution, name, flag, and tonnage of the respective vessels.

Additionally, the applicant must pass the theoretical part of the Competency Exam and perform the practical evaluation maneuvers:

• Two (2) maneuvers, one daytime and one nighttime, within the jurisdiction of Cartagena; and/or
• Two (2) maneuvers, one daytime and one nighttime, within the jurisdiction of Santa Marta.

The Examining Board must grade each evaluation with a score equal to or greater than eight point zero (8.0) out of ten point zero (10.0). The resolution takes effect from its publication in the Official Gazette.

The measure regulates access to the highest category of pilotage in one of the main ports of the Colombian Caribbean and reinforces state control over an activity declared mandatory for higher-tonnage vessels. By requiring ten years of practice, 400 previous maneuvers, and supervised practice in Cartagena and Santa Marta, DIMAR seeks to ensure that the promotion to master pilot is based on verifiable experience and not solely on the pilot’s seniority.

Source: Official Gazette, Edition 53,649 of October 5, 2026, Miscellaneous section, p. 18 (official reference: Resolution 0709-2026 MD-DIMAR-DIRECCIÓN).