"I’m grateful for ExCom’s constructive discussions and our shared commitment to maintaining a trusted Forum in which members and industry partners can share expertise needed to manage current risks and prepare for future challenges."
Director's Log
OCIMF held its 95th Executive Committee (ExCom) meeting in Oslo on 28 May.
I’m grateful for ExCom’s constructive discussions and our shared commitment to maintaining a trusted Forum in which members and industry partners can share expertise needed to manage current risks and prepare for future challenges.
The ExCom covered key topics, including boosting member participation, ensuring our mission and brand remain relevant, and refining membership criteria to better support our goals. We also reviewed the organisation’s financial health and made budget decisions.
Notably, the ExCom approved an increase in the SIRE inspection report download fee from 1 January 2026 – the first adjustment since 2019. This change enables continued investment in the programme’s core areas that sustain SIRE’s value: development, data assurance, analytics, user and inspector support.
I’m communicating this update now to allow time for preparation. Recipients received notification and pricing structure at the end of June. I appreciate your understanding.
OCIMF would like to thank the membership and all industry stakeholders for your ongoing commitment to our shared mission.
Karen Davis
Director OCIMF
OCIMF Day – Athens
On 10 June, OCIMF welcomed more than 160 attendees representing OCIMF members, industry partners, vessel owners and vessel operators at OCIMF Day – Athens.
The event included panel discussions on the new OCIMF information paper Onshore Power Supply Systems: Recommendations for Tankers and Terminals and the second edition of the Ship to Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum, Chemicals and Liquefied Gases, due to be published later this year. OCIMF also gave an overview of lessons learned on the SIRE 2.0 inspection management process from the perspectives of OCIMF and a vessel owner/operator. The presentations were followed by engaging question and answer sessions.
OCIMF would like to thank the many panellists from industry partners who contributed to the success of the event. OCIMF will continue to host events that encourage active dialogue and discussion of topics of interest to members and the maritime energy sector. Presentations and photos of OCIMF Day – Athens can be found on the OCIMF website: OCIMF EVENTS.
For more information, contact Darron L. Biddle, OCIMF Publications and Advocacy Director,
Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit
This one day event in Athens on 11 June, organised by the International Chamber of Shipping, began with a closed-door ministerial industry dialogue, where OCIMF Chair Lambros Klaoudatos joined the top table.
Lambros joined EU Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassillis Kikilias, ICS Chair Emanuele Gimaldi and Union of Greek Shipowners President Melina Travlos for candid conversations that explored global mega-trends shaping shipping. They touched upon trade, tariffs and the 83rd session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee. Lambros highlighted the ageing profile of the tanker fleet. OCIMF Publications and Advocacy Director Darron Biddle and Environmental Adviser Martin Young were able to observe the discussion.
The topics were discussed in more detail during the widely attended summit, where OCIMF was represented by a large Secretariat and member contingent, following the OCIMF Day event on 10 June. Lambros participated in a panel discussion, where he mentioned the new information paper Onshore Power Supply Systems: Recommendations for Tankers and Terminals and the successful OCIMF Day to highlight industry efforts to establish best practices for this emerging technology.
For more information contact Martin Young, OCIMF Environmental Adviser,
OCIMF participates in Spain’s National Congress of Maritime Law
OCIMF joined the 2025 National Congress of Maritime Law, hosted by the Spanish Association of Maritime Law in Madrid on 12–13 June. The event brought together legal and industry experts to explore critical topics under the theme 'Maritime Compass: Rules, Risks, and Sustainability'.
Fahmi Tarmizi, OCIMF Programmes Technical Manager, spoke during the third session, 'Compliance in the Maritime Sector,' alongside panellists from Moeve, Repsol, and Knutsen OAS España. Fahmi highlighted the role of OCIMF’s inspection and vetting programmes – such as SIRE 2.0, BIRE and OVID – in reducing risk and strengthening safety culture across the maritime industry. He also emphasised the growing importance of human factors in compliance regimes.
The participation of Moeve and Repsol – both OCIMF members – underscored the collective commitment of stakeholders to fostering high compliance standards through industry collaboration. The panel explored how compliance frameworks are evolving to address modern challenges, with perspectives from charterers, shipowners, and HSEQ professionals.
OCIMF thanks the organisers and fellow panellists for a valuable exchange and looks forward to continued engagement with maritime stakeholders in the region.
For more information, contact Fahmi Tarmizi, Programmes Technical Manager,
OCIMF presents at PIMA engagement session
OCIMF was pleased to be invited to an engagement session coordinated by the Petroleum Industry Marine Association of Japan (PIMA) at the Japanese Shipowners Association, Tokyo, on 23 June.
Aaron Cooper, OCIMF Programmes Director and Sashidaran Gopala, OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Technical Adviser presented to several vessel operators and charterers including MOL Chemical Tankers, IINO Lines, NYK, Kyoei Tankers, Idemitsu and ENEOS. This engagement provided an opportunity to present the OCIMF organisation, vision, mission and strategic priorities, including the critical role of our membership and industry stakeholders. OCIMF also provided an update on SIRE 2.0, including the sharing of lessons learned and best practices nine months since launch, with a focus on the vessel operator’s perspective. This was followed by an extensive Q&A.
This was a valuable engagement for OCIMF and we would like to thank PIMA and all those in attendance for their support and drive towards continual improvement in the maritime sector.
For more information please contact Aaron Cooper, OCIMF Programmes Director,
Maritime security snippets
16th Industry Strategic Meeting
OCIMF, along with representatives from the IMO, industry associations and members, attended the 16th Industry Strategic Meeting organised by EUNAVFOR ATALANTA in Madrid from 3–4 June. Jointly chaired by EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the meeting provided the opportunity to take stock of lessons observed from activity in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, exchange insights and better coordinate efforts. The meeting agenda maintained the momentum of ongoing work within the SHADE forum focusing on several key outputs, notably, harmonising regional maritime reporting and communication with navies. Industry associations were pleased with the progress made since the last meeting and welcomed the adoption of the maritime lexicon in the new BMP MS.
OCIMF Maritime Security Committee
The next meeting of the MSC will take place online at 11am (London) on 9 July 2025. Members not associated with the committee who have a security interest are most welcome to attend to gauge if joining would add value to their business. Please contact Russell Pegg, OCIMF Security Adviser,
OCIMF publications news
New information paper out now
Onshore Power Supply Systems: Recommendations for Tankers and Terminals offers guidance on the safe and efficient delivery and use of shore-based electrical power to ships at a berth, promoting environmental protection and regulatory compliance. It supersedes OCIMF’s information paper Onshore Power Supply Systems: Preliminary Design Recommendations for Tankers and Terminals (2023).
Onshore Power Supply Systems: Recommendations for Tankers and Terminals is now available to download free of charge on OCIMF's website.
Download Onshore Power Supply Systems here
Click here to preorder the new Ship to Ship Guide
Withdrawn publication notice
Following a publication review, the Publications & Advocacy Offshore Principal Committee has approved the withdrawal of the publication Safe Transfer of Liquefied Gas in an Offshore Environment (STOLGOE), First Edition 2010 as the content is no longer current. Please remove copies from your records and digital library.
Best practice guidance on various aspects of liquefied gas cargo transfer is available in publications from the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO). Best practice guidance on other topics including mooring, fender selection, tandem mooring and offloading is available in other OCIMF publications.
OCIMF welcomes two new Secretariat members
OCIMF is very pleased to announce that Captain Javed Bhombal will join in July as Nautical Adviser, reporting to the Publications and Advocacy Director.
Javed is joining on a three-year secondment from International Marine Transportation Limited, an affiliate of ExxonMobil. He has over 40 years' experience in the maritime industry, from deck officer to Master, transitioning to shore-based roles in 2003. In his most recent role as International Marine Transportation Singapore Managing Director and Marine Quality Assurance Manager, Javed led ExxonMobil Global Marine’s cross-regional vetting teams, marine security, emergency response and marine risk management functions.
Javed served as Chair of OCIMF's NAVAS working group, Chair of the ISGOTT 6 Tanker working group, and as a member of the SIRE 2.0 VIP steering committee and Chair of the Programmes Committee.
Reuben Peter joined OCIMF as Quality Assurance Manager in June, reporting to the Programmes Director on a three-year secondment from Shell.
Reuben has over 35 years of experience in the marine industry, beginning as a navigation officer on tankers and working up to Command. His shore-side roles span marine assurance, commercial and auditing, including as a SIRE inspector in Hong Kong. He was the first mariner to work in the Shell internal audit team.
Most recently, Reuben was Shell’s Global Maritime Efficiency Manager, driving initiatives that reduced emissions and improved efficiency, harnessing the power of tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Barging news
OCIMF attends PZI Stakeholder Conference
OCIMF was invited by Platform Zero Incidents (PZI) to join its Stakeholder Conference in Gorinchem, Netherlands on 21 May. OCIMF’s Publications and Advocacy Director Darron Biddle and Barge Adviser Ton Mol attended, joined by several members. OCIMF gave a presentation and led a discussion about the safe implementation of (semi-) autonomous navigation techniques, such as the use of Track Guidance Assistants for Inland Navigation (TGAINs) and Remote-Controlled Operations. PZI presented its most recent activities, including its latest incident statistics. Thanks to PZI for their hospitality.
Workshop on smart shipping and remote controlled operations
On 22 May, OCIMF organised a workshop on remote controlled operations. It was attended by the OCIMF members active in EU barging activities (TotalEnergies, BASF, INEOS, Shell, BP and ExxonMobil), Lloyds Register, the Dutch authorities Rijkswaterstaat and IL&T, insurance company EOC, PZI, suppliers of Remote Operations Centres (ROCs) Seafar and Argonics, and operators who are active in remote controlled operations (Dari and HGK).
The discussion will help OCIMF to start work on an information paper for the safe implementation of ROCs. At present about 50 dry cargo barges are operated from three ROCs in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Duisburg and ten tank-barges are equipped, but are not yet operating from ROCs.
For enquiries, contact Ton Mol, OCIMF Barge Adviser,
OCIMF to host OVID user-group forum
OCIMF is hosting an in-person user-group forum for OVID users to discuss issues and share feedback with the OCIMF membership and the Secretariat.
The forum will be held in early November in Aberdeen (UK) before the Marine Safety Forum All Members Meeting. OCIMF members, OCIMF accredited OVID inspectors, programme recipients and vessel owners/operators in the North-West Europe region are invited to attend.
Registration for the event will open soon – look out for further announcements. OCIMF will be hosting OVID user feedback forums in other regions in the future.
For any enquiries, contact Christopher Holland, OCIMF Offshore Adviser,
Offshore Vessel Operations Expert Group
Lead: Pat Dasgupta (Chevron)
Secretary: Christopher Holland (Offshore Adviser)
17th meeting: 4 June 2025
The Offshore Vessel Operations Expert Group (OVOEG) met virtually for its 17th meeting. Highlights of the discussion included the following:
- Offshore Vessel Management and Self Assessment (OVMSA): A working group has been updating OVMSA focusing on Element 6 and aligning the KPIs with Tanker Management Self Assessment Element 6.
- Planning was endorsed for OCIMF to host an in-person forum in November in Aberdeen (UK) to give OVID users the opportunity to share feedback with the Secretariat.
- P&A Offshore Committee 10 provided an action to OVOEG to develop an OVID Health Check process. Initial discussions were held during the meeting and a request was made for ideas from the members.
- The multiyear barging strategy was shown and it was agreed to create a strategy for OVOEG.
- The Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP) https://chirp.co.uk/maritime/ gave an overview of its incident collection programme.
Next meeting: 10 September 2025
For any enquiries, contact Christopher Holland, OCIMF Offshore Adviser,
IMO news
110th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110)
MSC 110 was held at the IMO headquarters from 18 to 27 June 2025, with the following developments of relevance to OCIMF members taking place.
Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)
- Steady progress towards conclusion of the non-mandatory MASS Code with textual discussion on the majority of chapters finalised: adoption expected by MSC 111 in May 2026.
- Framework for Experience-Building Phase (EBP) to commence immediately post-adoption, to inform the development of a mandatory MASS Code.
- 5-day intersessional working group to take place in early October 2025 to continue progress.
- Adoption of mandatory Code envisaged for 2030, for entry into force on 1 January 2032.
Safe decarbonisation
- Work related to the development of recommendations on addressing existing regulatory barriers and gaps related to alternative fuels and new technologies completed.
- Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS), among others, deemed as higher priority, noting prevailing discussion during Marine Environmental Protection Committee on this topic.
- Endorsement of recommendation for updating the Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships: Accounting for technological development over decades.
- Protracted discussion on the “one ship, one Code” policy: gas ships using gaseous or low-flashpoint fuels not listed in Chapter 19 of the IGC Code, to follow specially developed IMO guidelines instead of the IGF Code.
- STCW Circular on generic interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies approved by the Committee.
General safety matters
- MSC resolution enhancing the Revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships (previously resolution A.1050(27)), adopted by the Committee.
- Agreement to undertake a comprehensive revision of the various IMO guidelines on the implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code: work commences from 2026.
- Review of the Casualty Investigation Code expected to begin from 2026.
- Approval of amendments to the LSA Code regarding design and arrangements for the simulated launch of free-fall lifeboats approved, for adoption by MSC 111.
Security matters
- Agreement to develop a comprehensive, risk-based non-mandatory cybersecurity Code covering ships and port facilities: work proposals invited for MSC 111.
- Adoption of an MSC resolution on encouragement of maritime information-sharing through the use of national and regional maritime information-sharing centres to enhance maritime safety and security.
A full summary report for MSC 110 will be released in due course.
For enquiries regarding IMO matters, contact Abhijit Aul, OCIMF Risk and Regulatory Affairs Adviser,