<![CDATA[Purpose – This study investigates the effects of work experience, technical competence, and navigation information systems on the safety and traffic-flow performance of ship pilotage operations in the Barito River, Indonesia, with job satisfaction examined as a mediating variable.Methodology – A quantitative explanatory research design was employed using a cross-sectional survey of 42 active ship pilots. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate the measurement model, structural relationships, and mediating effects.Findings – Technical competence had significant positive effects on job satisfaction (β = 0.651; p = 0.015) and pilotage performance (β = 0.661; p = 0.016). Navigation information systems exhibited the strongest positive relationship with pilotage performance (β = 0.860; p < 0.001), although their relationship with job satisfaction was not statistically significant. Work experience did not significantly influence either job satisfaction or pilotage performance, while job satisfaction itself had no significant effect on performance. Furthermore, job satisfaction did not significantly mediate the relationships between work experience (p = 0.978), technical competence (p = 0.568), or navigation information systems (p = 0.687) and pilotage performance.Conclusion – The findings highlight the importance of technical competence and navigation information systems in supporting safe and efficient river pilotage operations. Rather than relying primarily on accumulated professional experience or job satisfaction, pilotage service providers should emphasize competency-based training, continuous professional development, and effective navigation information management to strengthen operational performance.]]>
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