[gonzo]

Normally the ship’s captain isn’t in-charge in the canal. The Suez Port Authority has pilots you have to hire for that.

[glitchcrab]

Correct; I believe the canal's authority has liability here as they provide the mandatory pilot for the duration of the transit.

[pmyteh]

Certainly in cases of collision the owners of the vessel retain liability even with a Suez Canal pilot on board[0]. It's possible that they then have a claim against the canal company for provision of negligent piloting, but I don't know that.

[0]: https://www.reedsmith.com/en/perspectives/2020/10/when-commo... - and the (linked) full judgment is also interesting; the pilot of the ship that caused the collision wasn't doing a good job on that occasion!

[jandrese]

The captain may still be liable if the ship ended up like that due to mechanical failure.

[raptorraver]

I've understood that (in Finland at least) the pilot's aren't actually steering the ship but giving instructions for the captain.