"OCIMF has contributed to a progressive improvement in the standards of operation of oil tankers and terminals through its range of publications, programmes and advocacy at IMO."
Director’s log
One of my abiding memories of my childhood living on the south coast of Devon and holidaying in the Isles of Scilly, is having tar removed from my feet following walks on the beach.
Forty-nine years ago on the 18th March one of the few really defining incidents of the tanker shipping industry occurred. The Torrey Canyon, one of the then new supertankers, ran aground on the Pollard’s Rock, part of the Seven Stones Reef off the south west coast of England and spilled 119,000 tonnes of crude oil; an incident caused by human error.
The pollution damage and publicity following this incident provided the catalyst for a variety of anti-pollution initiatives nationally, regionally and internationally, but with little coordination. In 1970, eighteen of the world largest oil companies created OCIMF which enabled the oil industry to play a stronger, coordinating role in response to these initiatives, making its professional expertise widely available through cooperation with governments and intergovernmental bodies.
There is no doubting that in the intervening 46 years, OCIMF has contributed to a progressive improvement in the standards of operation of oil tankers and terminals through its range of publications, programmes and advocacy at IMO. This is a heritage to be proud of but our work is not complete. This month OCIMF held a workshop on the Human Element (see below) to help us understand where the Human Element can be usefully applied within the OCIMF structure and output, and to create a resource to support the OCIMF/INTERTANKO joint working group (see below).
Stay safe,
Andrew Cassels
Director OCIMF
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Human Element workshop
Around 60 people attended OCIMF’s Human Element workshop on 22 March in London.
The event was intended to help delegates understand more about the issues within a maritime context. The day began with introductions from Raj Shetty (OCIMF’s Senior Technical Adviser) welcoming delegates and running through the day’s logistics and Andrew Cassels (OCIMF’s Director) giving his thoughts on the difficulties surrounding the issue and reasons for supporting the workshop.
Carl Henrickson (Director, Maritime Governance, BG/Shell Group) not only introduced the pre-read on the Human Element, he then took on the unenviable task of compering the day. Waddah Ghanem (Executive Director, EHSSQ and Corporate Affairs, ENOC) set out the objectives for the day.
Eight subject matter experts from a wide range of high risk industries then shared their thoughts on what the Human Element was and what could be done to improve it. The first to take to the floor was Janette Edmonds (Director/Principal Consultant Ergonomist, The Keil Centre Limited). She spoke on the Human Element in the chemicals and process industries and looked at some of the “common factors” in major incidents. Paul Shanahan (GS Partnership Ltd) had a presentation looking at eight ways to make a difference including incident analysis, guidance and training. Phoebe Smith (Principal Human Factors Specialist, Human Sciences Unit, HSL UK) gave a detailed view of learnings from the railways. She was followed by Dr Jonathan Earthy (Human Factors Coordinator, Marine Technology and Engineering Services, Global Technology Centre, Lloyd’s Register) who spoke about the balance of competent people and usable systems as well as the Lloyds Review’s Alert! project.
After lunch Brian Sherwood Jones (Chartered Ergonomist, Human Factors Specialist and People-Systems Integrator, Process Contracting Limited) discussed what the Human Element is and gave some views from the nuclear industry. He was followed by Dr Ian Randle (Managing Director, Hu-Tech Human Factors Ergonomics, President-Elect, The Chartered, Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors) who spoke about the Human Element in healthcare. And with his experience in the aviation industry Captain Timothy Crowch (President, Advanced System Safety Management) gave his thoughts on what could be done. The final speaker of the day was Martin Shaw (Managing Director, Marine Operations Assurance Management Solutions Ltd) who looked more closely at the tanker industry.
The final panel session was a lively and interesting Q&A with a number of contributions from members and industry organisations.
The day ended with thanks to Carl, Waddah and Raj for pulling together an interesting and informative day.
A second OCIMF members only event was held on the 23 March to discuss the way forward, this will be reported in due course.
OCIMF/INTERTANKO joint working group
ExCom 76 in November last year approved a joint OCIMF/INTERTANKO working group which will meet in early April to begin work on a range of human element related issues.
A preliminary work programme has been outlined for the group to consider. The initial agenda looks like this:
Competency assessment and verification of training
Building on work already underway in INTERTANKO’s Human Element committee, they will explore the development of a competency based training scheme.
A Goal Based Approach to the Crew Matrix
Focussing on risks that require management, the group will review the existing crew matrix model and the potential to replace it with an alternative goal based approach, or something in-between. The intent being to ensure enough competence on board a ship without the unintended consequences of the current time based Crew Matrix.
Best Practice Toolkit for disseminate lessons learnt from incidents
Collating existing successful tools for managing seafarer behaviour, the group will review how best to disseminate lessons learnt from incidents and ensure the implementation of preventive actions and solutions in the most effective manner.
Standardised design and ergonomics
Progressing the current joint action relating to work being done at IMO on mooring arrangements and other safety relevant technical aspects, the group would ensure good coordination and the best possible representation of tanker specific interests with regulators.
Maritime Security Snippets
The first quarter of 2016 has been a busy period across global maritime domain.
The apparent fall in attacks on mariners and merchant vessels in SE Asia is balanced by the rise and severity of attacks off the West Coast of Africa.
In the Indian Ocean both EU and NATO are finalising their new mandates for the post 2016 period while illegal migration and human suffering in Mediterranean challenge all rim nations.
The OCIMF Maritime Security Sub-committee (MSSC) held their first evet face-to-face meeting in Singapore on 10 March giving regional members the opportunity to share their views. The group welcomed presentations from Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP); the Singapore International Fusion Centre; the Officer in Charge, along with seven of his international liaison officers generated great debate with MSSC members.
The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) in concert with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and NATO have released their first ever Piracy Threat Assessment off Somalia (which is available to memmbers with access to the OCIMF maritime security portal). The design is to better inform all industry stakeholders and help risk management and decision making when operating vessels in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean. The report leverages from information collected by all three military organisations reflecting historical trends and forward looking perspectives. It is a most welcome addition to our knowledge base.
Looking ahead – in April, OCIMF members will be supporting an International Naval Exercise in the Arabian Gulf. Destined to one of the largest naval events ever the focus is on protecting industry infrastructure and vessels in the region. The event, last held in November 2017, will once again include the Maritime Infrastructure Protection Symposium on 5-6 April in Bahrain; more detail can be found here. In conjunction with this exercise, OCIMF members will take the opportunity to test the Industry Communication Center (ICC) concept. The ICC is a process where the whole of industry can come together to share and distribute information in time of crisis. The ICC will be active 19-20 April and followed by the Maritime Information Exchange Vessel Operators’ Meeting (MIEVOM) on 21 April at 0900 – 1330 in the Top Deck Lounge, Dubai International Seafarers’ Centre (DISC), Mina Road, near Port Rashid, Dubai. at the Dubai Mission to Seaman. For more information, please contact the
Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre
March has been a busy time for the Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre – Gulf of Guinea (MTISC-GoG) on a number of fronts.
The Merchant Navy Liaison Officer (MNLO), Capt. Kingsley Hope Gbotsyo, began a new outreach programme with a productive visit to Tema Port Authority. The aim of this programme is to raise awareness of the benefit of reporting to the MTISC-GoG and encourage greater dialogue with Masters’. During his visit to the port, the MNLO visited five merchant vessels briefing the Masters’ and crew and delivering information handouts about the voluntary reporting scheme. All five vessels welcomed the visit and have opted to report in the future.
During the latter part of the month, MTISC-GoG welcomed three USN Naval Control and Guidance to Shipping staff from the New York detachment led by Lt Danielle Centeno to the Centre. The NCAGS team worked closely with MTISC-GoG management during Obangame Express 2016 Exercise in supporting the team and provide hands on training where necessary. The exercise completed on 23 March with the MTISC-GoG having played a significant role.
March also said goodbye to LS Joseph Dadzie, Ghana Navy who has provided excellent service as a dedicated watch keeper. The MTISC-GoG is grateful for his contribution and in his place is pleased to welcome AB1 Emmanuel Essel also from the Ghana Navy.
Readers are reminded of the new MTISC-GoG Weekly Report launched in January and is circulated Fridays at 1200. To be added to the distribution list please contact
Mooring Equipment Guidelines
OCIMF has kicked-off the working groups that will be updating the Mooring Equipment Guidelines (MEG). The current third edition was published in 2008.
The first round of meetings with the MEG Working Group (WG) and the High Modulus Synthetic Fibre (HMSF) WG were held at the OCIMF offices in London during February and March respectively.
Each working group held a two-day meeting and was well attended by various subject matter experts including OCIMF members, Industry, Rope Manufacturers and Classification Societies. Both of these working groups intend to hold two day meetings at least six times during the 2016 year. Further intersessional work will be completed to address the satisfy the aggressive schedule put forward for the revision.
The full agenda for OCIMF updating MEG will include updates throughout the book and correcting known anomalies within the current edition. Areas highlighted for new information include:
- Expansion of HMSF mooring lines capturing lessons learned and experience gained.
- Inspection and retirement criteria for mooring lines
- Greater clarity for terminology of Safe Working Load, Normal Working Load, Design Load, etc.
- Focus on the target audiences.
- Emerging technologies.
The WGs are reviewing queries received since publication as well SIRE observations.
If you are aware of any issues that should be considered for revision, please contact
STS Focus Group
The Ship to Ship Focus Group (STS FG) had its sixth meeting in Houston on 2-3 February 2016.
Some of topics discussed were transfer of personnel by basket during STS operations, operating envelopes of hose handling cranes, update of STS Service Provider, Self-Assessment topics etc. On the second day, the STS FG and Industry Task Force on Lightering (ITOL) got together in a joint effort to write Guidelines for the Maintenance, Testing, Handling and Inspection of STS Hoses.
During STS FG sixth meeting, members elected Will Doolittle (BP Shipping) and Tricia Clark (Saudi Aramco), subject to Ports and Terminal Committee (PTC) approval, as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively of the STS FG.
Will Doolittle takes over as Chairman from Andy Bickerdike (Chevron Shipping Company LLC), whose contribution was recognised by members. Andy chaired the STS FG between 2010 and 2015, and during his tenure as Chairman, the STS FG has made significant contributions to industry which include:
- Development of the STS Service Provider Management Self-Assessment tool.
- Low Pressure Pneumatic fenders included as part of ISO 17357.
- Drafting of the new STS Transfer Guide (2013) which:
- Consolidates LPG/LNG and Chemical STS transfers.
- Covers both “at sea” and “in port” transfers.
- Addresses issues faced by industry and aligns POAC with MARPOL Chapter 8 Annex 1 Regulations.
Other activities include STS hose failure follow up, vapour balancing during STS operations and the ongoing study into semi continuous hose suitability and application.
Other notable contributions made by the STS FG since its inception has been to build an effective working relationship with industry partners such as ITOL (Industry Task Force on Offshore Lightering), STS EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and the STS SNI Best Practices form (Singapore Nautical Institute). This global initiative has been very successful, and been appreciated by industry partners as it encourages dialogue within the industry. It also offers OCIMF the opportunity to identify regional challenges faced and to mutually share best practices for the benefit of the STS industry.
Marine Technical Sub-committee
The 32nd Marine Technical Sub-committee (MTSC) meeting took place in February in Houston, and was hosted BG.
The MTSC is the technical body of OCIMF that supports three committees GPC, PTC and OMC, with principle reporting to GPC. The wealth of technical experience and knowledge is leverage all the committees within OCIMF and also supports activities external to the main committees. These may or are not limited to International Maritime Organisation (IMO), European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF), Tanker Structure Cooperative Forum (TSCF), and other industry engagements. The committee Chairman is David Wall (Chevron) and Vice-Chairman Krystyna Tsochlas (P66).
During the most recent meeting the MTSC continued to discuss the progress of the following papers being developed:
- VOC Emissions.
- Critical Spares Process.
- Semi-Continuous Hoses.
The Sub-committee discussed hot topics within the IMO, ESSF, and topics within their own organisations. Kyle Boucher, Director Engineering Compliance of ConocoPhillips provided an engaging presentation on the use of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and drones for both ballast and cargo tank inspections. This emerging technology is being explored in greater detail by the ConocoPhillips Polar Tanker fleet.
The MTSC meets twice a year having in depth discussions on technical challenges that face our membership. Discussion points and work outputs are generated by the committees and generated by the members of the MTSC.
The MTSC is looking to expand the membership and if you’re interested in becoming a member of the MTSC please contact
Pictured left to right (back row): Mike Davison (BG), Ahmer Saeed (Shell), Andrew Clifton (SIGTTO), Dragos Rauta (INTERTANKO), Luis John Peter (Maersk Tankers), Nick Ryan (BP), Joe Megeed (OCIMF) Left to right (front row): Bob Cutrona (ExxonMobil), David Wall (Chevron – Chair), Krystyna Tsochlas (P66), Laurent Bianchi (Total), Per Asander (Sonangol)
Notice to OCIMF Programmes Participants
From Monday 4 April 2016, OCIMF will officially end support for the SSLv3 protocol upon all the programmes’ websites.
From that date, to access the SIRE, OVID, TMSA and MTIS websites, users should be using a modern internet browser. It is known that Internet Explorer 6 will have connection issues from that date and we cannot recommend the use of this unsupported browser.
For any further information, please contact the OCIMF Programmes Support Desk on
+44 (0) 20 7654 1200 or at