“It was gratifying and encouraging for the work that we do, to see and hear that the IMO focus areas are aligned with those of OCIMF."
Director's Log
On 17 January, OCIMF Secretariat representatives attended the IMO to participate in the bi-annual briefing for intergovernmental and non-governmental observer organisations by Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.
He opened the discussion by highlighting seafarers, security and decarbonisation as three main IMO focus areas for 2025, consistent with his New Year’s message to the industry. Focusing on seafarer welfare, his concerns included continued trends of seafarer abandonment and criminalisation, measures to improve the quality-of-life onboard ships to attract more seafarers to the industry, and attracting more women seafarers to ships outside the cruise industry.
Mr Dominguez also specifically addressed the risks posed to people and the environment by the ‘dark fleet’ or ‘shadow fleet’ and the IMO’s approach to this challenge by targeting instances of sub-standard shipping. He stated that the IMO was engaged in capacity efforts with member states to assist local port state control entities targeting ships not meeting IMO conventions.
The Secretary-General’s comments were well received by the attendees and following his remarks he addressed a number of questions from the audience. It was gratifying and encouraging for the work that we do, to see and hear that the IMO focus areas are aligned with those of OCIMF.
Karen Davis
Director OCIMF
OCIMF welcomes three new members
OCIMF is delighted to extend a warm welcome to its newest members. The following organisations were approved by the OCIMF Executive Committee at its 94th meeting in November 2024:
- Sinochem Oil Co. Ltd (PRC)
- Valor International Holding FZB (United Arab Emirates)
- VAST Infraestrutura (Brazil)
Sinochem Oil Co. Ltd, Valor International Holding FZB and VAST Infraestrutura bring with them a wealth of knowledge and a shared commitment to promoting safe and environmentally responsible maritime operations. Their expertise and experience will be invaluable as we continue to advance best practices within the industry.
For a full list of the 114 OCIMF members, please click here: Members
New information paper out now
OCIMF's latest release gives minimum requirements for applying Emission Capture and Control (ECC) technologImagey.
The adoption of ECC can bring environmental advantages to maritime operations in ports and terminals by reducing emissions, contributing to improved local air quality and aiding in compliance with environmental regulations. 
Emission Capture and Control at Berth: Preliminary Safety Recommendations aims to provide minimum functional requirements for the safe application of barge-based ECC to oil, chemical and oil product tankers operating at onshore conventional berths, such as piers, jetties and quays.
For more information and to download the paper free-of-charge, click the link below.
Maritime security snippets
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has reported a decline in global maritime incidents and piracy in 2024 but urges continued caution as crew safety remains at risk.
The 2024 Annual Report recorded 116 incidents against ships in 2024 compared to 120 in 2023 and 115 in 2022. 94 vessels were boarded, there were 13 attempted attacks, six vessels were hijacked and three fired upon. The IMB urges caution to promote crew safety given an increase in the number of crew taken hostage or kidnapped – 126 crew taken hostage, 12 crew kidnapped, 12 threatened and one injured. The reported use of weapons also continues to rise. In 2024, guns were reported in 26 incidents compared to 15 in 2023. Knives were reported in 39 incidents in 2024, compared to 42 incidents in 2023. 
The ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said: “While we welcome the reduction of reported incidents, the ongoing threats to crew safety remain a significant concern. Safeguarding routes and ensuring the security of seafarers, who are essential to maintaining global commerce, is vital. Every effort must be made to protect lives at sea while ensuring the seamless flow of goods through international supply chains. This requires a collaborative effort, with continued regional and international naval presence being crucial to this endeavour.”
More details from the IMB Annual Report can be found here.
ReCAAP InforImagemation Sharing Centre (ISC) issued its 2024 Annual Report on Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia. 
The report, issued at the 16th Nautical Forum held in Singapore on 9 January, shows a total of 107 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported to ReCAAP ISC from January to December 2024. This is 6% higher than the 101 incidents reported in 2023. Of these 107 incidents, two were piracy and 105 were armed robbery.
The full report can be found here.
For enquiries, contact Russell Pegg, OCIMF Security Adviser, Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..
VIP (SIRE 2.0) Steering Group
23 January 2025 (London/virtual)
Chair: Raj Shetty (ENOC)
Vice Chair: Deb Cobb (Marathon)
Secretary: Aaron Cooper. OCIMF Programmes Director
On 23 January, member representatives from the VIP (SIRE 2.0) Steering Group met at the OCIMF office in London. This was an opportunity to meet and reflect four months on from the launch of SIRE 2.0. The secretariat used this time to present inspection statistics, provide updates on the SIRE 2.0 new inspector training schedule for 2025, provide a quality overview of the inspections performed so far, as well as providing an update on IT development in progress. The meeting also welcomed Vokhus Ltd, who provided an informative presentation highlighting their work supporting OCIMF in the successful procurement, configuration, and export of approximately 460 iSafe tablets globally.
The group also used this meeting to personally thank Capt. Deb Cobb, who has stood down as Vice Chair of the VIP Steering Group. Capt. Cobb has been in role since the very first VIP Steering Group meeting and we thank her for her time, commitment and support for this project and wish her well for the future.
For enquiries, contact Aaron Cooper, Programmes Director, Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..
Structures Expert Group
13th meeting: 20 January 2025 (virtual)
Lead: Jeff Bayham (ExxonMobil)
Co-lead: Gerard Spaan (Shell)
Secretary: Lexy Nielsen (OCIMF Engineering Adviser)
The 13th meeting of the Structures Expert Group recapped progress from 2024, including the recent publication of the Emission Capture and Control at Berth information paper, and planned 2025's workflow. Members provided updates on external collaboration activities, including working groups for the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC), British Standards, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and called for volunteers for two new PIANC working groups. The group discussed next steps and participation for the upcoming revision of the OCIMF publication Guidelines for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of Multi Buoy Moorings, working group kick-off meeting to start in March. The group also discussed planning the revision of the Recommendations for Oil and Chemical Tanker Manifolds and Associated Equipment.
For enquiries, contact Lexy Nielsen, OCIMF Engineering Adviser, Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..
Barges Expert Group
12th meeting: 23 January 2025 (London/virtual)
Lead: Unni Krishnan (IMT)
Co-leads: Vincent Denis (BASF), Jose Maria Risso Patron (YPF)
Secretary: Ton Mol (OCIMF Barge Adviser)
The Barges Expert Group had its first meeting of 2025 in January, the first of four set to take place this year. The meeting was hybrid, hosted at OCIMF’s London office and attended by 24 members. Regional updates were shared with the group about activities in 2024 and plans for 2025. P&A Director Darron Biddle, Governance and Performance Manager Steve Alder and Barge Adviser Ton Mol all addressed the meeting, which was also attended by OCIMF Executive Committee member Mr Koshi Okuda of PIMA.
The group discussed and agreed plans for 2025. The present lead, Bjorn Ternoey of TotalEnergies and co-lead, Lanny Mason of Marathon Petroleum, stood down from their roles due to new positions in their companies. The group elected Unni Krishnan of IMT as lead and Vincent Denis of BASF and Jose Maria Risso Patron of YPF as co-leads. Managing Director Karen Davis thanked Lanny and Bjorn for their input over the past years.
For more information contact Ton Mol, OCIMF Barge Adviser, Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript..
IMO news
IMO Subcommittee on Ship Design and Construction
The 11th session of the IMO Subcommittee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 11) was held at the IMO headquarters from 13–17 January 2025, with the following developments taking place.
Remote Inspection Techniques (RITs): amendments to the 2011 Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections (ESP Code)
Draft amendments to the 2011 ESP Code, allowing the use of RITs for close-up surveys of ship structures were agreed. RITs differ from remote surveys in that the former involve the use of equipment such as drones, remote-operated vehicles by an attending surveyor to access the structure being inspected. Guidance to aid RIT assisted surveys is under development and expected to be finalised next year. The amendments will be considered by Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) 110 in June 2025 for approval.
SOLAS regulation II-1/3-9: means of embarkation and disembarkation from ships
Equipment such as gangways and accommodation ladders must be constructed, installed and maintained in accordance with guidance contained in IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1331. Revision to existing guidance, to reflect current best practice, was finalised during SDC 11 and is expected to be approved by MSC 110.
SOLAS Chapters II-1: steering and propulsion systems
Current SOLAS regulations cater to traditional propeller and rudder arrangements and as such do not fully address non-traditional propulsion and steering systems such as azimuth propulsors and water jet systems. Extensive draft amendments covering relevant chapters under SOLAS II-1 were considered during SDC 11 to align requirements for all steering and propulsion systems with a view to finalising work by 2028.
Finalisation of interim guidance for emergency towing arrangements for ships other than tankers
Applicable to new ships of over 20,000 GT, draft amendments to SOLAS regulations II-1/3-4 requiring emergency towing equipment on board were finalised. This new requirement supplements already mandated towing procedures. Supporting interim guidance finalised during SDC 11 will be considered for approval by MSC 110.
A summary report for SDC 11 will be issued to members in due course via AFM.
For IMO-related enquiries 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..