"I am a believer in the benefits of collaboration where there are common goals."
Managing Director's Log
Spring is fast approaching here in the UK.
I have always viewed the next three months as the best time of year – the start of new life and lighter days providing renewed enthusiasm following the cold dark months of winter. If you are in the southern hemisphere or you have been affected by negative things professionally or personally, you might not be sharing these feelings currently. However, I am sure you can at least recognise the association. Many of our member companies have been transitioning over the past months and whatever the outcome is to each individual, they will soon be able to feel renewed enthusiasm as they see a clear way ahead.
Speaking of transitions, we completed the remainder of our new expert group meetings in February. This year we will continue to introduce new ways of working and new processes associated with our strategy implementation. It is not going to be business as usual. While everyone wants to proceed quickly, we need to balance that enthusiasm against a planned period of transition. We are prioritising this transitional work (completing bowties, building processes, developing key performance indicator (KPI) dashboards, linking publications with barriers) and the ongoing SIRE 2.0 work to ensure our refreshed Strategy is successful. For now, we will focus less on things such as producing publications and introducing changes to existing programmes. A change of Strategy this big takes time and it would be disastrous to rush. During change it is often easier to seek out areas of familiarity and we will need to resist falling back into our old ways of working. The latter part of the year should see the benefits of the changes being implemented, and output will pick up.
I am a believer in the benefits of collaboration where there are common goals. We included an article in the January newsletter on Together in Safety which is a collaboration of industry stakeholders across shipping sectors. The most recent meeting held this month discussed ideas on how best to address two of the hottest issues in the industry – seafarer wellbeing and mental health and safety of future fuels. Working groups will be formed in the coming weeks to begin work on these activities.
This month we also held a joint executive meeting with INTERTANKO where a limited number of our respective board members attended and discussed mutual safety, security, health and environment issues, agreeing some high-level topics that the Joint Initiative Steering Group can further investigate together.
Until the March newsletter – stay safe and keep healthy.
Rob Drysdale
Managing Director OCIMF
Nautical Expert Group
Lead: Nitin Malik (Chevron) Co-Leads: Ken Fernandes (Cepsa) and Ola Olubowale (Viva Energy) Secretary: Sanchay Srivastava (OCIMF Nautical Adviser) 1st meeting: 26 January 2021 (Virtual)
During the Nautical Expert Group kick-off meeting, the group agreed the Terms of Reference (ToR) as per the new OCIMF Strategy and listened to a presentation on the new Organisational Strategy, the Risk Advisory Function and associated bow ties. They also reviewed ongoing work and activities from the Navigation and Routeing Sub-committee (NaRSuC).
There was active participation from the attendees and a clear commitment to support future activities.
For enquiries, contact Sanchay Srivastava, OCIMF Nautical Adviser This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Next meeting: 4 May 2021 (Virtual)
Offshore Vessel Expert Group
Lead: Alex Morton (Chrysaor) Co-Leads: Henning Hjartholm (Equinor) and Ahmad Hisshamuddin (MISC/MMS) Secretary: Dave Wall (OCIMF Publications & Advocacy Director) 1st meeting: 2 February 2021 (Virtual)
The Offshore Vessel Expert Group held its kick-off meeting to make all members familiar with the new Strategy, bow ties and risk matrix to determine future work.
For enquiries, contact Dave Wall, OCIMF Publications & Advocacy Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Next meeting: 21 April 2021 (Virtual)
Engineering Expert Group
Lead: Gajendra Verma (Chevron) Secretary: Ricardo Martinez (OCIMF Engineering Adviser) 1st meeting: 4 February 2021 (Virtual)
This initial kick-off meeting aimed to reset the existing sub-committee(s) and focus groups. The expert group reviewed the ToR and new ways of working as per the OCIMF Strategy. The meeting was also an opportunity to understand the risk prioritisation matrix and bow-tie process and its use to identify opportunities to focus resources. The group also reviewed the reporting structure, stakeholder roles and existing work.
For enquiries, contact Ricardo Martinez, OCIMF Engineering Adviser This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Next meeting: 20 April 2021 (Virtual)
Ship to Shore Interfaces Expert Group
Lead: Bharat Bhatia (Shell) Co-Leads: Mohammed Majdali (Aramco) and Mohd Hanafi (MISC) Secretary: Sanchay Srivastava (OCIMF Nautical Adviser) 1st meeting: 10 February 2021 (Virtual)
During the Ship to Shore Interfaces Expert Group kick-off meeting, the ToR was agreed as per the new OCIMF Strategy. The group listened to a presentation on the new Organisational Strategy, the Risk Advisory Function and associated bow ties.
They also reviewed ongoing work and activities from the Marine Terminal Focus Group (MTFG) and discussed how to divide these activities under the Publications & Advocacy Committee and Programmes Committee.
There was active participation from the attendees and a clear commitment to support future activities.
For enquiries, contact Sanchay Srivastava, OCIMF Nautical Adviser This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Next meeting: 6 May 2021 (Virtual)
Inspection Processes Expert Group
Co-Leads: Ramit Gangopadhyay (Shell) and Ruchir Seth (Marathon Petroleum) Secretary: Ajay Gour (OCIMF Training and Accreditation Manager) 1st meeting: 28 January 2021 (Virtual)
The focus of the inaugural meeting was for the members to be introduced to the expert group’s roles and responsibility in the implementation of OCIMF’s revised Strategy. In addition to getting to know each other, the meeting was an opportunity to understand the development and use of the bow tie process and its use to focus resources. The group reviewed an overview of emerging risks and opportunities identified by the use of bow ties and their use in prioritising work items for the group.
The group represents the offshore, deep sea and the inland shipping sectors of the industry and performs a key role in new way of working. They provide subject matter expertise to the Programmes Committee on key areas such as the inspection questionnaires and tools, the programmes databases, the management self assessment (MSA) databases and on ensuring data quality and analysis.
For enquiries, contact Ajay Gour, OCIMF Training and Accreditation Manager This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Next meeting: 27 April 2021 (Virtual)
Innovation and Technology Expert Group
Lead: Simone Vittori (ENI) Secretary: Aziz Benbelkacem (OCIMF Programmes Contracts Manager) 1st meeting: 3 February 2021 (Virtual)
During the first meeting of the Innovation and Technology Expert Group, members reviewed and approved the group’s ToR and Conditions of Attendance (CoA). Members were given an overview of OCIMF’s new business strategy and the risk bow tie methodology that will help focus OCIMF resources. The group assigned priorities for outstanding work from all working groups from OCIMF’s former Committee Structure.
The group also reviewed the ToR for the project to align BIRE and OVID with SIRE 2.0 and decided to develop a project management approach at the next meeting.
For enquiries, contact Manager Aziz Benbelkacem, OCIMF Programmes Contracts Manager This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Next meeting: 3 March 2021 (Virtual)
Programmes Governance Expert Group
Lead: Aaron Cooper (Chevron) Co-Leads: Oscar Rodgriguez (CEPSA) and John Cook (Shell) Secretary: Patrick McGroggan (OCIMF Quality Assurance Manager) 1st meeting: 9 February 2021 (Virtual)
During its first meeting, the Programmes Governance Expert Group was introduced to the new meetings structure and OCIMF Strategy. The attendees accepted the new ToR, reviewed the risk-based approach and use of bow ties. The group will focus their work to cover all inspector sponsorship, training, assessment, accreditation and ongoing development as well as audits and assessment of programme, quality management systems and programme disciplinary matters and appeals.
For enquiries, contact Patrick McGroggan, OCIMF Quality Assurance Manager This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Next meeting: 28 April 2021 (Virtual)
OCIMF/PIANC Working Group seeks input
OCIMF has joined the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure’s (PIANC) Maritime Navigation Commission Working Group (MarCom WG) in revising Report No. 212 Criteria for Acceptable Movement of Ships at Berths (Update of MarCom WG 24).
As part of their gathering technical information on safe and efficient limits for movement of moored ships, they are asking terminal and ship stakeholders to complete the appropriate questionnaires on criteria for safe and efficient limits. All information will be kept strictly confidential, without any reference to the respondents, and will only be used to update WG 212. Please select the appropriate questionnaire below and send completed forms to the respective email address by 1 March 2021 but late submissions will also be accepted:
For enquiries, contact Ricardo Martinez, OCIMF Engineering Adviser This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
OCIMF Programme Support
OCIMF Programmes Support can be accessed 24-hours a day, seven days a week, via the online OCIMF Self-Help Portal.
The Self-Help Portal is a comprehensive, searchable repository of over 150 articles and guides about the OCIMF Programmes and can be accessed directly from SIRE/OVID accounts or by clicking here.
The OCIMF Programmes Support Helpdesk can also be contacted directly via either email or telephone between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00 UTC, Monday to Friday excluding UK public holidays:
- OCIMF Programme Support Helpdesk: +44 (0)203 856 7880.
Note: All previously publicised contact telephone numbers are no longer forwarded or monitored.
When contacting by email, please use the programme specific email addresses below:
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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IMO updates
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) held an unofficial symposium on alternative low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels 9-10 February to assist the Initial IMO Strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships.
Presenters addressed various technical, regulatory issues and introduced pioneering projects. The event summary and presentation materials can be found on the IMO Website.
Seventh meeting of the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping
This meeting that was held 15-19 February online and focussed on matters related to fishing vessels. Other discussions relevant to OCIMF were:
- The meeting set up a correspondence group to discuss harmonising the extension, endorsement and issuance of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) during the pandemic.
- Training and qualification of officers in charge of the onshore-power supply (cold ironing) operations: HTW 7 could not agree on the proposal because some members considered training was not necessary and only familiarisation should be provided. The issue was deferred to the next meeting.
Upcoming meetings
Intersessional Working Group on the carriage of more than 12 industrial personnel
The meeting will be held 9-12 March online to address carriage of the Industrial Personnel (IP) onboard vessels on international voyages. Discussion will include the application to Special Purpose Ships (SPS). The aggregated-number approach in counting 12 personnel will require SPS to comply with the IP requirement.
Eighth meeting of Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response
This meeting will be held 22-26 March online. Key discussions will include:
- Carriage of chemicals: There will be no working group during the meeting.
- Bio-fouling.
- Black carbon: PPR 8 will discuss whether to take an exhaust monitoring based approach or a fuel-control based approach.
- Examination of operational guidelines to risk mitigation measures to prevent heavy fuel oil spills in the Arctic.
- Sewage: PPR 8 will address operational measures (manual and record book) and technical matters (sewage treatment plant approval and onboard testing).
- Plastic litters, particularly lost fishing gears.
IOPC spring meeting
The spring meeting of the IOPC funds will be held 29-31 March online and will focus on regular updates only due to the limitations of the online meeting.
For more information, members can visit the IMO section on the OCIMF members' website.
2021 Committee meeting calendar
lease note that there is no cut off date for members to nominate people for the OCIMF committees and expert groups. Please send any nominations to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. along with a brief biography and contact details.