“I would like to extend a warm welcome to newly appointed ExCom members Karrie Trauth from Shell, Koshi Okuda from PIMA, and Steve Hawkins from Marathon Petroleum."
Director's Log
OCIMF hosted the 94th Executive Committee (ExCom) meeting in our London office in November.
As expected, ExCom reviewed 2024 accomplishments and focused on the new year’s budget, priority work plans and projects. After the intense SIRE 2.0 project delivery and successful go-live, ExCom agreed that it was time to champion our other valuable programmes, with particular focus on OVID, BIQ and BIRE. While closely monitoring the SIRE 2.0 system and adjusting where needed, attention to Programmes governance and inspection quality remains essential.
In 2025, members can expect the Secretariat, committees, expert groups and working groups to concentrate on over ten publications and fourteen information papers on a range of topics, including ship-to-ship transfer, barging guidance, management of LSA on fixed/floating installations, DP assurance, security, onshore power supply and human factors.
The staff and Secretariat will continue to enhance business planning and improve communications across the Forum to ensure member expectations are delivered. ExCom supported OCIMF’s ambitious plans aimed to enhance internal efficiencies, increase member engagement, and maintain high accountability standards.
On 27 November, OCIMF hosted the 46th Annual General Meeting. With membership support, I would like to extend a warm welcome to newly appointed ExCom members Karrie Trauth from Shell, Koshi Okuda from PIMA, and Steve Hawkins from Marathon Petroleum.
Karen Davis
Director OCIMF
Joint industry workshop and webinar tackle enclosed space fatalities
Industry organisations gathered on 12 November for a third workshop to collaborate in addressing the risks associated with enclosed space entry.
Participants at the full-day event, held at OCIMF’s London office, heard the latest statistics presented by InterManager. This was followed by a presentation and discussion on drone and remote operated vehicle technologies for enclosed spaces – a promising technology that may reduce the need to enter such spaces. The group then heard about wash water analysis, a method of testing wash water from a tank without having to enter to perform a wall wash test.
One of the actions of this joint industry initiative was to organise a webinar to highlight concerns, educate where possible and listen to seafarers and shore-based mariners. OCIMF’s Nautical Adviser Kevin Coelho represented the tanker industry on the panel, held on the Nautical Institute’s platform on 24 November (pictured below). A recording of this webinar will be made available via the Nautical Institute’s platform.
The organisations involved in the workshop agreed to meet again in the first quarter of 2025.
For further information, contact Kevin Coelho, OCIMF Nautical Adviser, Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..
INTERTANKO Seafarers' Seminar
OCIMF was pleased to be invited to present and engage on a panel session at the INTERTANKO Seafarers' Seminar, held in Mumbai on 25 October.
The keynote address was provided by Shri Shyman Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping and included updates from INTERTANKO as well as an insightful presentation by Dr Deepti Mankad discussing seafarer wellness and wellbeing. The event was attended by close to 400 seafarers and Aaron Cooper, OCIMF Programmes Director used this opportunity to provide a history of OCIMF and the organisation’s significant role in developing and advocating best practices and driving initiatives to improve safety throughout the industry. He also reflected on his own personal safety journey, sharing experiences throughout his career and highlighting the positive impact of SIRE and the rationale for the transition to SIRE 2.0.
Fahmi Tarmizi, OCIMF Programmes Technical Manager provided technical insight into the SIRE 2.0 end to end inspection process, question structure and format, as well as the role of the inspector. Aaron and Fahmi were also pleased to partake in an engaging panel session, joined by Sokratis Tzanetos, Intertanko Vetting Manager and Abner Carvalho, Managing Director, Anglo-Eastern Ship Management.
For more information, please contact Aaron Cooper, Programmes Director Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..
OCIMF hosts webinar for SIRE Cat-1 inspectors
OCIMF hosted a webinar for its SIRE Cat-1 inspectors on the SIRE 2.0 inspection programme to share early findings and the lessons learned since the programme’s launch in September.
Two sessions were delivered to accommodate all inspectors located in the Eastern and Western hemispheres. These webinars are delivered with the aim to increase consistency in the inspectors’ approach, behaviours and reporting. Inspectors were provided with feedback on human factors, in particular selection of Performance Influencing Factors (PIFs) and the selection of response tools. They also covered the experiences gained from submitted inspections and feedback provided by submitting companies. An extensive Q&A session at the end gave attendees the opportunity to ask and receive answers on-the-spot from the OCIMF Secretariat.
OCIMF recognises that SIRE 2.0 requires a change in mindset. For crew, interactions with inspectors during a SIRE 2.0 inspection are often their first touchpoint with OCIMF and the SIRE Inspection Programme.
These webinars will be delivered on a regular basis for inspectors, operators and submitting companies, in line with OCIMF’s commitment to ensuring the programme’s continued success by driving consistencies and listening to programme participants.
For further information, contact Ajay Gour, OCIMF Training and Accreditation Manager, Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..
OCIMF participates in LNG Shipping & Terminals Conference
OCIMF was invited to present and participate in a panel at the recent LNG Shipping & Terminals Conference 2024, held at Tower Bridge in London on 12-13 November.
The event was attended by over a 100 delegates from the LNG sector. Tony Jones, OCIMF Quality Assessor, gave a high level overview of the SIRE 2.0 Programme from an inspectors' perspective. Tony also joined a dynamic panel discussion alongside Lloyd Swindell, Deputy General Manager 'K' Line LNG Shipping (UK) Ltd., and Robin Collett, General Sales Manager, Samson Ropes.
OCIMF would like to thank Riviera Marine for hosting the event and giving representatives of the LNG sector the opportunity to connect, share knowledge and collaborate.
For more information, contact Tony Jones, OCIMF Quality Assessor (Europe), Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..
OCIMF organises joint global Ship to Ship Service Provider Forum
Ship to Ship (STS) Service Provider Regional Forums from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and the Americas came together for the first time at OCIMF’s office on 21 November.
OCIMF organised this global joint STS Service Provider Forum to share best practices and incident learnings. The meeting was held in hybrid mode so that contributions could be made remotely. Participants included the head of Brazil maritime operations, an important region for STS operations.
OCIMF took the opportunity to brief the participants on its work, including the following:
- Update on the Ship to Ship Transfer Guide revision.
- A discussion on the STS Service Provider Management and Self-Assessment (STS SP MSA). Related to this, OCIMF’s plans to set up a database for completed SP MSAs in 2025.
- SIRE 2.0 questions on STS operations.
- Topics of interest to the forums, including personnel transfer baskets and mooring load analysis for STS transfer operations.
It was also important to listen and learn from the feedback given by the forum members and find out where the organisation could help.
OCIMF would like to thank the regional STS Service Provider Forums for attending, being collaborative and sharing their expertise.
For further enquiries, contact Kevin Coelho, OCIMF Nautical Adviser, Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript.
New Engineering Adviser joins OCIMF
OCIMF is delighted to welcome Alexys Nielsen, who has joined as Engineering Adviser on a three year secondment from ConocoPhillips. 
Alexys has spent the last 19 years as Engineering Officer with ConocoPhillips, Polar Tankers. After graduating from the California Maritime Academy, she sailed as a Third Assistant Engineer and progressed to Chief Engineer. Her time onboard included filling the role of Quality Assurance Officer. Alexys has also provided engineering support to the Polar Tankers fleet from shore-based positions, coordinating operational support for vessel repairs and inspection periods on the US West Coast as well as materials management and logistical support during shipyard repair periods.
Ship to Ship Transfer Guide revision update
The Ship to Ship Transfer Guide Revision Working Group has been meeting monthly. With the revision now almost complete, a Review Group was formed and met in person at the OCIMF offices at the end of October. Over the course of a week, the team reviewed the entire revised copy and addressed all final comments received from the working group.
Once finalised and agreed with co-authors, the draft will go through the production process, due for publication in 2025.
For further information, contact Kevin Coelho, OCIMF Nautical Adviser Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..
Working group to revise Manning at Conventional Marine Terminals
The working group met virtually to discuss the revision of the OCIMF information paper Manning at Conventional Marine Terminals (2008).
The group noted that there is a growing trend towards rationalising the manning levels employed at marine terminals. The intention of this information paper is to provide guidance to ensure that terminal marine operations are carried out safely, irrespective of the manning philosophy adopted. Discussions at the working group meeting included the following:
- Management of the Ship/Shore Interface.
- Human factors – conducting walkabouts, interactions with people and equipment.
- Key factors influencing manning levels, including manning for security and emergency response.
- Berth operator minimum onboarding and training requirements.
- Impact of technological advances on manning levels.
- New cargoes/new fuels – requirement of additional awareness training for berth operators and management.
For further information, contact Kevin Coelho, OCIMF Nautical Adviser, Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..
Environmental Adviser attends EU Emission Trading System sub-group
Environmental Adviser Martin Young represents OCIMF on the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)/Emission Trading System (ETS) sub-group, which was set up by the European Commission to advise on aligning the data reporting requirements for the EU ETS and the Fuel EU Maritime (FEUM). The sub-group is meeting on a monthly basis prior to the FEUM coming into force from January 2025.
The sub-group met on 4 November to hear about an update of the number of Monitoring Plans submissions and discuss draft guidance notes. The general guidance (GD1) has been revised following comments from the sub-group. Of interest to OCIMF members is that GD1 now clarifies that stops at offshore facilities would count as an ‘MRV port of call’ if the facility had an assigned UN/LOCODE or permanent connect to a port. The revised GD1 is expected to be published shortly.
The European Commission is working on two further guidance notes, GD2 for national authorities about monitoring plan approval and GD3 for verification and accreditation bodies with the group seeing a presentation on the workplan for GD3.
The group meets next on 3 December.
For more information, contact Martin Young, OCIMF Environmental Adviser, Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..
Women in Maritime Survey
The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA International) and the IMO are jointly conducting a survey to obtain baseline data on the number of women represented in the maritime field and their role.
OCIMF wholeheartedly supports member and wider industry participation in this survey, as this will provide WISTA and the IMO with data to support development of policies and measures that will eventually promote diversity and inclusivity in the maritime sector.
To participate in the survey, click on this link and follow the guidance under ‘Industry Survey’. Results of the first survey conducted in 2021 can also be found on the same page.
IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey
IMO news
IOPC Funds
The governing bodies of the IOPC, i.e. the 1992 Fund Assembly, the 1992 Fund Executive Committee, and the Supplementary Fund Assembly met from 5 to 8 November 2024. Some of the key outcomes of this meeting are outlined below.
HNS Convention
The governing bodies noted a submission co-sponsored by Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden highlighting their commitment towards ratifying the 2010 HNS Convention. The significance of this being that subject to ratification by the four nations, the Convention would enter into force 18 months later. Currently this threshold is expected to be met by the middle of 2025.
Adoption of Resolution - ‘Raising awareness of the risk of uninsured and unsafe ships’
An increasing number of instances involving the transportation of oil by ships that were uninsured and, deemed unsafe led to concerns on the impact to safety and the environment, as well as on the IOPC Funds and the wider international liability and compensation regime. A resolution raising awareness and seeking mitigating measures by all parties concerned was adopted by the 1992 Fund Assembly and the Supplementary Fund Assembly.
133rd session of the IMO Council (C 133)
C 133 took place at the IMO headquarters from 18 to 22 November 2024. Some of the key discussions during and decisions made by the Council are outlined as follows:
- Karin Orsel, CEO of MF Shipping Group, Netherlands received the 2025 IMO Gender Equality Award in recognition of her contribution to advancing gender equality and empowering women in the maritime sector.
- C 133 noted that the IMO Secretariat was preparing a submission to MEPC 83, indicative of the resource implications of the possible development of an IMO GHG fund or facility and a GHG fuel intensity registry.
109th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109)
MSC 109 is scheduled to take place at the IMO headquarters from 2 to 6 December. OCIMF will participate in relevant working groups and discussions, including:
- Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships.
- Safe delivery of IMO GHG reduction strategy.
- IMO Casualty Investigation Code.
- ISM Code.
- Maritime Security.
Members can find more details in OCIMF AFM – 59/24, dated 22 November 2024. A summary report will follow in due course.
For IMO related enquiries, please contact Abhijit Aul, Risk and Regulatory Affairs Adviser, Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..