"As you will see from this month’s packed newsletter, OCIMF is busy engaging with members, producing new work and seeking opportunities. I look forward to more of the same as we move into the second quarter of 2023."

Director's Log 

As industry changes at an increasing pace and OCIMF member activities and associated HSSE risks evolve, we must continue to engage in relevant work to produce valued outputs. To better understand the challenge, we have undertaken a project to review our mission and scope of operation.

Thank you to those who participated in our recent member survey. The survey was our proactive way of listening to members sharing their needs, as well as their intended future direction. We have also offered interviews to member companies, to drive a deeper conversation around what we must do as an organisation to support our membership. Your insights are vital to the success of this project. Having looked through the anonymous survey results, I find the responses insightful and thorough. Taking time from your busy schedules to complete this work is truly appreciated.
 
I look forward to seeing where this work will take us. The possibilities are many, including a change in mission, expansion of scope of operation, and a brand refresh to reflect these changes. The results could also prove that we should do nothing now but continue this data gathering. Rest assured, even if the feedback suggests everything looks fine, we will continue to challenge ourselves as thought leaders to broaden our delivery of best practice and explore new ways to connect with other sectors of the industry and like-minded organisations.
 
As you will see from this month’s packed newsletter, OCIMF is busy engaging with members, producing new work and seeking opportunities. I look forward to more of the same as we move into the second quarter of 2023.
 
Wishing you a safe and healthy month ahead, 

Karen Davis

Director OCIMF

Thirty years of SIRE

The Ship Inspection Report (SIRE) programme is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Established in 1993 to address troubling industry trends, the SIRE programme quickly became the cornerstone of tanker inspections and vetting and has undoubtedly been a key driver in the improvement of operational performance in the tanker industry.   

I joined my first vessel, a VLCC, in 1993 when SIRE was in its infancy. At that time, we debated as to whether this new inspection programme would really make a difference to our vessel, our fleet or to the industry. However, time has certainly shown that with the initial focus on machinery and equipment, then management systems following the introduction of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and Tanker Management and Self Assessment (TMSA), the SIRE programme has been responsible for an unquestionable improvement in industry safety performance.

Since the inception of SIRE, approximately 9,500 vessels have been inspected by a cadre of approximately 490 SIRE Cat-1 inspectors. Some 23,000 reports have been uploaded, and 166,000 reports downloaded.

So, after 30 years, I am excited to lead the transition to SIRE 2.0 with the focus on human factors driving the next step-change in industry performance. The new digitalised and risk-based inspection programme will give the industry the ability to extract thousands of data points from the enhanced reports and will lead to a proactive rather than reactive approach to addressing industry trends.

I would like to thank the submitting companies, programme recipients, vessel operators, inspectors and the OCIMF secretariat for making the programme what it is today and for all their support as we transition to SIRE 2.0.

For more information, contact Aaron Cooper, OCIMF Programmes Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SIRE 2.0 project update

SIRE 2.0 has been developed by OCIMF’s Vessel Inspection Project (VIP) team and has been undergoing extensive testing in preparation for the phased roll-out of the programme. 

Additional documentation and training materials

Additional documentation has now been published and must be reviewed by all programme users to ensure full familiarisation and readiness for the transition to SIRE 2.0. The documentation is available from the OCIMF website, here.

Suggestions For Improvement portal

To make sure all feedback is easily captured within the SIRE 2.0 programme, a Suggestions For Improvement portal (SFI) has been developed. This provides a process for all participants to report feedback and suggestions about the use of the programme for OCIMF’s review. It can be accessed using your active SIRE user account.

Full instructions are provided in the document titled ‘SIRE 2.0 Instructions for entering data into the Suggestions for Improvement portal Version 1.0’.

Programme recipients, submitting companies, vessel operators and inspectors are all encouraged to use the portal to provide constructive feedback on all aspects of the programme, particularly once engaged in the phased roll-out. Questions and queries (not feedback) relating to the programme should be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Fruitful visits in East Asia

During March, OCIMF P&A Director Saurabh Sachdeva visited members and industry partners in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. This was a fantastic opportunity to talk through OCIMF’s new ways of working, discuss publication plans and advocacy strategy, and field questions about the roll-out of SIRE 2.0 and other Programmes activities.

Saurabh was accompanied by Programmes Quality Assessor Sashi Gopala and Programmes Technical Manager Mohd Fahmi Tarmizi. OCIMF was warmly welcomed by the following member companies: PERTAMINA, Medco Energi (Jakarta); MMS, HESS, HRC (Kuala Lumpur); ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips (Singapore).

Saurabh and Sashi visited the Global Centre of Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) in Singapore, where they met Chief Technology Officer Dr Sanjay Kuttan and Director of Partnerships Lau Wei Jie. They discussed opportunities for collaboration on matters of safety and decarbonisation and learned about GCMD’s work on ammonia fuel bunkering and carbon capture and storage.

They also visited the Singapore office of ITOPF, met their regional team and learned about the excellent work ITOPF is doing to promote and enhance environmental protection measures and spill response.

Saurabh was invited to SIGTTO’s General Purposes Committee meeting, where he gave updates on publications and advocacy. The following day, he spoke at the SIGTTO Regional Panel meeting, where he outlined OCIMF’s strategy and work.

For more information, please contact Saurabh Sachdeva, P&A Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Top left: HESS E&P team with OCIMF's Saurabh Sachdeva and Sashi Gopala; top right: Capt. Ade Gunawan, VP HSSE Pertamina, presenting a plaque to Saurabh in recognition of OCIMF's visit to Jakarta; lower left: Dwi M Sulistio, Saurabh Sachdeva, Susmanto Sukihadi, Capt.Sashi Gopala, Capt. Boy Valentino at Medco Energi, Jakarta; lower right: Sashi Gopala, Marie Lee, Lauren Fearenga, David Cooper, Saurabh Sachdeva, David Campion at ITOPF, Singapore.

OCIMF hosts Ethnicity in Maritime Network

OCIMF is very proud to have hosted the first meeting of the Ethnicity in Maritime Network, part of the Diversity in Maritime programme, at its offices in London on 1 March 2023. This network aims to create an inclusive UK maritime sector, that supports individuals and organisations in creating culturally diverse environments where everyone can thrive.

The meeting was held in a hybrid format and chaired by OCIMF’s P&A Director, Saurabh Sachdeva. Attendees represented a variety of sectors in the maritime industry including ports, marine, leisure, commercial and charitable sectors.

Discussions focused on how to create inclusive workspaces, identify barriers to entry and progression through industry, and the availability of mentorship opportunities. The meeting established that the group needs to understand the levels of ethnic diversity in leadership in the sector, to find out what the top three issues are to help build a long-term action plan, and to connect with the other networks in the Diversity in Maritime programme.

All are welcomed to get involved – so why not join the next meeting, scheduled for 15 June 2023.

For more information visit the Ethnicity in Maritime Network page here.

L-R: Symmone Cupidore-Roeg (OCIMF), Rosie Staines (Maritime UK), Shenaz Bussawon (Vice Chair), Saurabh (Chair) Amy Sweetings (UKSA), Steve Pointing (Maritime UK)

Maritime Security snippets

Piracy and armed robbery against ships

The 17th Governing Council Meeting of the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre was held from 15–17 March 2023 in Singapore. The meeting was attended by representatives of the 21 ReCAAP Contracting Parties and on the second day by external participants from two aspiring states and 12 maritime stakeholders. OCIMF was represented by Captain Prashant Dighe (ExxonMobil).

The Council reported about piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia for the year 2022. There were 84 incidents – a 2% increase on 2021 – of which 83 were armed robbery against ships and one was a piracy incident involving a fishing boat. It was pleasing to hear there had been no reported incidents of abduction for ransom of crew in Sulu-Celebes Seas since 17 January 2020. The Philippine Coast Guard assessed the reduction of incidents and recommended the downgrading of the threat level from ‘Potentially High’ to ‘Moderate’. Notwithstanding the lower threat assessment, Council members urged the Centre to continue to monitor the situation, and to issue timely warnings and alerts, as necessary. More information can be found on the ReCAAP website.

International Maritime Exercise

Members of OCIMF’s Maritime Security Committee joined international stakeholders for the International Maritime Exercise 23, a naval training event involving 7,000 personnel from more than 50 nations and international organisations. The exercise focused on the protection of global trade through combined command and control, maritime security, mine countermeasures, unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration, and global health management. The participating international forces and organisations were divided into five operational task forces spanning across the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and East African coastal regions.

In promoting interoperability and building military/civil relations, OCIMF members were welcomed as part of the HQ Team led by Egypt, France, Pakistan and the UAE. Members gave advice on how global trade operates and provided merchant vessels for interaction and boarding practice opportunities. In support of developing the military use of autonomous assets and artificial intelligence, the first ever escort of a tanker leaving a port was conducted using an unmanned surface vessel (USV).

New Programmes Technical Manager

OCIMF is pleased to announce that Captain Mohd Fahmi Niza Bin Mohd Tarmizi (Fahmi) will be joining as Programmes Technical Manager for three-years from MISC Maritime Services Sdn Bhd (MMS).

Fahmi has 18 years’ experience in the maritime industry, starting his career at sea with MISC in their LNG fleet. 

Fahmi later joined a Malaysian marine company as Senior Manager, where he was involved in various marine risk assessment study projects, offshore vessel chartering and STCW training. He graduated from the University of Malaysia, Terengganu with an MBA in Maritime Transport and Logistics.

Fahmi joined MMS in March 2020 as a Marine Vessel Inspector, and in December 2021 he was accredited as a SIRE inspector. In 2022 his role was broadened to Lead for Marine Projects and Consultancy, supporting MMS expansion on both maritime services and port and terminal management.

Please join us in welcoming Fahmi and wishing him every success in his new role at OCIMF.

Meeting reports

Offshore Committee guests and members (left to right): Kate Harvey (G+), Don Davis (Chevron), Bert Zwiers (Shell), Alex Morton (Harbour Energy), Frank Nyheim (Equinor), Saurabh Sachdeva (P&A Director), Matthieu Bougeant (TotalEnergies), Graham Coles (Offshore Adviser), Steve Norton (IOGP)

P&A Offshore Committee

6th meeting, 15–16 March (hybrid)
Chair: Don Davis (Chevron)
Vice-chair: Matthieu Bougeant (TotalEnergies)
Vice-chair: Ash Haq (Suncor)
Secretary: Saurabh Sachdeva (P&A Director)
 
The sixth P&A Offshore Committee meeting was held over two days. Day one welcomed guest speakers including Steve Norton from IOGP and offshore wind sector representatives Kate Harvey (G+) and Gunnar Herzig (World Forum Offshore Wind). The committee held a risk workshop to clearly scope OCIMF’s role in supporting the offshore sector, avoiding duplication of efforts and identifying new opportunities. On day two the Managing Director gave a status update, as did the two expert groups that report to the Offshore Committee: Floating Systems and Offshore Vessel Operations. Reports were also given by the Security, Environment and Human Factors functional committees. There were updates on publications and recent revisions to the Offshore Vessel Inspection Questionnaire.
 
The chair also thanked one of the committee’s longest standing members, Bert Zwiers (Shell), who, after nearly 13 years, announced that he is stepping down to enjoy retirement. All the members thanked Bert for his contributions to OCIMF over the years.
 
For more information, contact Saurabh Sachdeva, Publications and Advocacy Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

P&A Tankers, Barges and Terminal Interfaces Committee

Intersessional meeting, 31 January (virtual)
Chair: Aled Roberts (BP) 
Vice-chair: Raj Shetty (ENOC)
Vice-chair: John De Rose (Excelerate Energy)
Secretary: Saurabh Sachdeva (P&A Director)
 
The P&A TBT Committee members met at the end of January to review the recommendations from the risk workshops conducted by the Barge Expert Group (BEG). The workshops covered four regions: North America, Europe, Southeast Asia/China, and South and Central America. It was agreed by the committee to form regional barge working groups to deliver the risk priorities for each region, recognising the differences in nature of operations, skills and knowledge. The committee also endorsed the decision to develop a new global barge guide and requested the BEG to submit Terms of Reference for approval. 
 
For more information, contact Saurabh Sachdeva, Publications and Advocacy Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Programmes Committee

6th meeting: 22–23 March 2023 (hybrid)
Chair: Ed Barsingerhorn (Shell)
Vice-chair: Javed Bhombal (IMT)
Secretary: Aaron Cooper (OCIMF Programmes Director)
 
OCIMF was pleased to host a hybrid Programmes Committee meeting on 22 and 23 March, with several members attending in the London office and others virtually.
 
Agenda items included an update on SIRE 2.0 and updates and priority items from each expert group: Inspection Processes, Programmes Governance and Innovation and Technology. The updates given by the leads and co-leads of each expert group were greatly appreciated. The committee received a status update from the Managing Director as well as an update on the development of the Programmes Document Library and the ISO audit strategy. Several decisions were made related to Tanker Management Self Assessment, Programmes data, Training & Accreditation, IT assurance and industry engagement strategies.
 
For more information, please contact Aaron Cooper, Programmes Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Maritime Security Committee

6th meeting: 22 March
Chair: Jose Parejo (CEPSA)
Secretary: Russell Pegg (OCIMF Security Adviser)

OCIMF’s Maritime Security Committee (MSC) held its first meeting of the year on 22 March. The MSC covered a wide range of security issues facing members and received update briefs from the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) in Singapore and the Special Adviser to SHADE-GoG. Among many threats facing the industry, members are especially exercised by the frequency of attacks from aerial drones in the Middle East and await the delivery of a recently commissioned study to develop guidelines.

For enquiries, contact Russell Pegg, OCIMF Security Adviser, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Human Factors Committee

6th meeting, 14 March 2023 (hybrid) 
Chair: Terry Luke (Chevron) 
Co-chair(s): Victoria Norris (BP), Laurent Routisseau (TotalEnergies) 
Secretary: Kevin Coelho (Nautical Adviser) 
 
The sixth meeting of the Human Factors Committee (HFC) was held at the Chevron Centre of Learning and Development (CoLD) facility in Glasgow, Scotland. The meeting was followed by a two-day workshop.

The HFC reviewed work and discussed the following topics:

• The HFC Plan and Project Tracker.
• IOGP’s Life Saving Rules and the human performance page on the IOGP website.
• Update on SIRE 2.0 human factors related matters.
• Overview of OCIMF publications in progress.
• Updates on security and IMO/advocacy.
• Stakeholder mapping exercise.

Two presentations were given: ‘Towards a Trauma Informed Maritime Industry – Safety and Wellbeing’, presented by Rachel Glynn Williams, and ‘The SAFEMODE Project’ highlighting the human factors tools available on the SAFEMODE project e-HURID page.  
 
The two-day workshop planned for the year ahead and worked on documents. The HFC intends to revise the information papers Human Factors Approach and Human Factors: Management and Self Assessment this year. Chevron kindly facilitated a tour of the training facility, giving an overview of the simulation facilities and the training given to their personnel.
 
For further enquiries, contact Kevin Coelho, OCIMF Nautical Adviser This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 
 
Next meeting: Q3 2023 (with intersessional planned in-between)

Environment Committee

6th meeting: 8 and 9 March 2023 (Houston/virtual)
Chair: Sebastien Roche (TotalEnergies)
Vice-chair: Maartje Wibrew-Forster (Shell)
Secretary: Filipe Santana (OCIMF Engineering Adviser)

The Environment Committee (EC) held its 6th meeting in Houston hosted by ConocoPhillips. The committee discussed several important topics related to OCIMF’s Environmental Plan, covering the four OCIMF strategic pillars: publications, programmes, advocacy, and members’ collaboration.

Topics addressed during the meeting include:

• Review the current version of environmental bow ties, discussing gaps and opportunities to ensure they address all current and emerging priority environmental risks.
• Update on EU, IMO, and CARB work programmes and the impact of their outputs.
• Prioritisation of EC advocacy engagement for IMO, EU, and CARB issues.
• Presentations on Sea Cargo Charter and Blue Sky Maritime Coalition’s scope of work.
• Discussion on the mapping and engagement with external organisations to agree on the strategy to collect further information and improve the database and map interface. Also, members agreed a strategy to prioritise engagement with external organisations.
• Update on the status of the OVIQ review and discussion on a possible environmental review of TMSA3.
• EFC members decided to review TMSA3 to identify gaps and opportunities related to the management of environmental impacts.
• Update on the progress of working groups developing publications under EFC's direction.

Next meeting: September 2023 (London)

For enquiries, contact Filipe Santana, OCIMF Engineering Adviser, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Floating Systems Expert Group

9th meeting: 16 February 2023 (Virtual)
Lead: John Dunhill (Shell)
Secretary: Graham Coles (Offshore Adviser)
 
The Floating Systems Expert Group (FSEG) met last month for its ninth meeting. The Human Factors Committee (HFC) chair gave an update on activities and what support HFC can provide to FSEG. The Expert Group then reviewed ongoing work against the multi-year plan and discussed activity for two workgroups:
 
Workgroup 1: Management of Life Saving Appliances on Fixed/Floating Offshore Installations – information paper
The safe operation and testing of lifeboats and small craft on fixed and floating installations has been identified as a gap/opportunity to provide guidance to the offshore Industry. This workgroup, developed in collaboration with IOGP and OPITO, is in the process of developing an information paper on this topic. It aims to hand the draft to OCIMF Publications team for processing by Q3 2023.
 
Workgroup 2: SPM Hawsers – publication revision
The group reviewed this publication last year and identified that the content needs updating to reflect industry developments, operator experience and manufacturing/testing processes. The workgroup Terms of Reference was approved in February and a draft document is due to be handed over to OCIMF Publications team at the end of Q2 2023.
 
Overall, there was good attendance from Expert Group membership, who engaged in active discussion throughout the meeting.
 
Next meeting: 25 May 2023

For enquiries, contact Graham Coles, OCIMF Offshore Adviser, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Offshore Vessel Operations Expert Group

9th meeting: 15 February 2023
Lead: Alex Morton (Harbour Energy)
Secretary: Graham Coles (Offshore Adviser)
 
The Offshore Vessel Operations Expert Group (OVOEG) met last month for its ninth meeting. The Human Factors Committee (HFC) chair gave an update on  activities and what support HFC can provide to OVOEG. The Expert Group reviewed ongoing work against the multi-year plan, with particular focus on active working groups.
 
Workgroup 1: Geophysical Marine Safety
This workgroup is formed with EnerGeo Alliance members to collaborate on the safe operations and environmental performance of offshore survey vessels, with particular emphasis on marine operations within an offshore safety exclusion zone. The group is supporting a review of EnerGeo Alliance marine procedures and aims to collaborate on further projects later in the year.
 
Workgroup 2: OVIQ update
The group was formed last year to review and update the current OVIQ3 template. After receiving numerous stakeholder comments, the group handed over a completed draft OVIQ4 template to OCIMF Programmes team for processing. The workgroup will remain in place to update MODU and Small Craft templates.
 
Workgroup 3: Management of Attending Vessels
The group was formed in January to carry out a review of existing barriers in relation to the safe management of vessels within offshore safety zones. The workgroup is currently assessing existing best practices and guidance to validate critical activities and identify any gaps or opportunities. They expect to provide initial feedback to the P&A Offshore Committee in Q2 2023.
 
Next meeting: 11 May 2023
 
For any enquiries, please contact Graham Coles, OCIMF Offshore Adviser, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Engine Power Limitation Working Group

Chair: Maria Polakis (BP)
Vice-chair: Rohit Abrol (ADNOC)
Secretary: Filipe Santana (OCIMF Engineering Adviser)

The fourth Engine Power Limitation (EPL) WG meeting was held virtually on 10 March.
The group discussed draft sections covering the following safety barriers associated with the risk of the reduced engine or shaft power because of Energy Efficiency Regulations:

• Vessel designed with sufficient power.
• Overridable power reserve.
• System designed for ease of operation.
• Engine's optimum operating condition.
• Defined authority for OOW to be able to override or request an override.
• Well executed berth to berth passage plan and the skills to respond to emerging situations.
• Safe navigation of ships in mandatory or recommended pilotage areas.
• The use of tugs where required.
• The potential impact of Overridable Power Limitation (OPL) on excessive ship motions.
• Crew competency.
• Crew drills.
• Clear understanding of regulatory requirements.

The EPL WG will meet again in London on 15 and 16 May 2023.

For enquiries, contact Filipe Santana, OCIMF Engineering Adviser, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Onshore Power Supply Working Group

Chair: Jeff Bayham (ExxonMobil)
Vice-chair: Robert Bridges (TotalEnergies)
Secretary: Filipe Santana (OCIMF)

The fifth meeting of the Onshore Power Supply (OPS) Working Group was held in Houston at the ExxonMobil campus.

The OPS WG discussed the results of the questionnaire they developed to gather power requirements onboard tankers while in port. With the support of INTERTANKO, more than 400 tankers completed the questionnaire and submitted the data. The WG aims to make a recommendation on the voltage, the number of cables and electrical connections considering the data collected. Members defined the following steps:

• Table of Contents (ToC): After approving the draft ToC, the WG discussed the possible ways to divide the work. The group decided to have sub-groups working on the recommendations for tankers and marine terminals. Sub-group leaders were defined, and members were divided to ensure balance of expertise in the groups. Delivery milestones and deadlines for updating the OPS WG work plan were agreed.
• Position of the shore power connection: The group initiated a detailed risk and feasibility assessment of electrical connection at two positions onboard: close to the stern or midship. The group identified possible show-stoppers and defined how to investigate them further.

The OPS WG will meet again in London in May.

For enquiries, contact Filipe Santana, OCIMF Engineering Adviser, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

IMO news

IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 9)

The ninth session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 9) was held at the IMO in London from 27 February to 3 March 2023. The meeting was conducted in hybrid-mode, with facilities for registered delegates dialling-in remotely.

The following brief provides a summary of the topics of relevance to OCIMF and its members, which were discussed or agreed during SSE 9.

Life Saving Appliances 

• New requirements regarding ventilation of lifeboats.

• Single fall and hook systems with on-load release capability – alignment of performance requirements with twin fall systems.

• A push towards mandating maintenance of suspension linkages for survival craft launching systems.

• Revision to Life Saving Appliances (LSA) Code for in-water performance for lifejackets.

Fire-fighting and fire protection 

• Ban on the use of fire-fighting foams containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) – proposals to extend the ban to other perfluorinated substances.

• Establishment of the intersessional Fire Protection Correspondence Group.

Diving systems 

• Finalisation of the 2023 Code of Safety for Diving Systems.

Other matters 

• IMO Interim Guidelines on safe operation of onshore power supply (OPS) service in ports.

• Device to prevent the passage of flame into cargo tanks in tankers – discussion on acceptable leakage rates from pressure-vacuum valves.

For more information, contact Abhijit Aul, Risk and Regulatory Affairs Adviser, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..