"This month I would like to talk about one of the major activities currently underway in OCIMF – the development of the fifth edition of our flagship publication Mooring Equipment Guidelines (MEG)."
Director's Log
When the fourth edition of MEG was published in 2018, it marked a significant step forward in the approach to mooring safety. It considered multiple mooring components working together as part of a mooring system and it introduced the implications of human factors into mooring.
Now, as OCIMF works with dozens of industry partners and stakeholders to develop MEG5, our responsibility is to ensure the revised publication incorporates not only developments in standards and technology, but also the realities faced by those working with these mooring systems.
Meaningful industry engagement is essential to achieving this ambition. We need to hear from those who design, manufacture, operate and maintain mooring systems, including the seafarers and shore personnel who use the guidance in practice. Their experience and lessons learned will help the MEG5 Working Group test assumptions, resolve ambiguity and focus on the areas where improved guidance is most needed.
I would like to thank those who are already working with us to improve this important aspect of maritime safety, and I encourage everyone to contribute to MEG5 by providing feedback through the Survey for the revision of Mooring Equipment Guidelines.
Don Davis
Managing Director OCIMF
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OCIMF launches new SIRE Cat-1 inspector training programme
OCIMF launched its revised training course for SIRE Cat-1 new inspectors in London 7-11 September 2026.
The duration of the new training course is seven weeks, with a mix of online, asynchronous and face-to-face, synchronous modules. The course is built on a workshop style of delivery and demands a greater level of interaction and attention from the candidates.
The course takes aspiring inspectors step-by-step through the basics of becoming a SIRE Cat-1 inspector. It provides candidates with a comprehensive understanding of the processes, procedures, practices and human factor skills required to successfully prepare for and complete a SIRE 2.0 vessel inspection and submit an inspection report that accurately reflects the condition of the vessel and its operation.
The course includes assessments at various stages to check candidates understand and have retained the information given to maintain the standards expected by OCIMF members and users of the SIRE inspection programme.
The candidates attending the first course represented 14 OCIMF member organisations. It was delivered by OCIMF’s Training and Accreditation Manager and two Quality Assessors and was well received by attendees.
For further information, contact Ajay Gour, Inspector Training and Accreditation Manager,
Industry feedback sought for revision of Mooring Equipment Guidelines
Work is underway on the next edition of the Mooring Equipment Guidelines (MEG) and OCIMF is seeking feedback from across the industry to support the revision.
A new survey is now open for those involved with mooring systems and equipment to share practical experience, lessons learned and industry perspectives. Responses will be reviewed by the MEG Working Group and used solely to support the development of the revised publication. Information provided will not be shared outside the MEG revision process without permission.
The survey takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete and questions may be skipped. The survey closes on 23 October 2026.
Detailed feedback on specific MEG4 content can also be submitted through the MEG4 Comment Register. The comment register also closes on 23 October 2026.
Download the MEG4 Comment Register.
OCIMF Programmes team strengthens ties with members in East Asia
Representatives of OCIMF’s Programmes team travelled to Hong Kong and Shenzhen in August to meet with members and facilitate a Joint Members and SIRE Inspectors Engagement Forum.
The team, comprising OCIMF Quality Assessors Capt. Luo Hongbo and Capt. Aloke Kumar, based in China and Singapore respectively, and Capt. Reuben Peter, Quality Assurance Manager based in London, visited OCIMF member PetroChina, whose Marine and Trading team operates out of Hong Kong. They conducted a two-day introduction to SIRE 2.0 and familiarisation session covering OCIMF’s expectations for becoming a SIRE Submitting Member. PetroChina was represented by Mr. YiFeng Wu, General Manager of PetroChina International Hong Kong and Capt. Bo Zhang, Marine Director of PSI Hong Kong.
The team also visited China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in their Shenzhen Trading Offices. They held a half-day meeting to explore areas of mutual concern and discuss how OCIMF and CNOOC’s Marine Assurance team could collaborate to raise the level of knowledge and support the standards expected of OCIMF members. CNOOC was represented by Mr. WenZhong An, QHSE General Manager and Mr. Fan Li, Marine Vetting Manager.
Joint Members and SIRE Inspectors Engagement Forum
The Programmes team also facilitated a one-and-a-half day Forum at the Nanshan Marriott Hotel in Shenzhen on 19 and 20 August. It was attended by three OCIMF members – CNOOC, Idemitsu and PetroChina – and 24 SIRE inspectors based in Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. The Forum saw lively debate and some serious learning, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. A recurring request from participants was for “more of the same”. At the end of the first day, OCIMF hosted a cocktail reception for attendees.
For more information, contact Aloke Kumar, OCIMF Quality Assessor,
PIANC Working Group on remote operations
Barge Adviser Ton Mol represented OCIMF at the fifth meeting of PIANC Working Group 262 for Remote Operated Inland Waterway Operations.
The working group, which met at the Seafar Remote Operations Centre in Antwerp on 10 September, is compiling a report giving recommendations on remote operations for Inland Waterway Authorities (worldwide). The report will be published during the Smart Rivers Conference in Indonesia in June 2027.
Joint meeting of inspection bodies
OCIMF was invited to join the three-day meeting organised by the technical body of the Rhine Commission, CESNI.
The meeting, held in Rotterdam from 15–17 September, was attended by 110 representatives of classification societies, member states and national authorities. It had three objectives: to inform the experts about the main developments in international regulatory frameworks; to exchange the experiences of inspection bodies and approved classification societies in applying technical requirements; and to draft proposals for interpretations in a coordinated manner.
Regional barging groups make plans
OCIMF’s regional barging groups met w/c 21 September to make plans for 2027.
The Asian Pacific group met online, and the European group held a hybrid meeting kindly hosted by OCIMF member VAROPreem in Rotterdam. Later in the week online meetings with the South American and North American groups took place. Plans for 2027 include agreed online and face-to-face meetings, and engagement with the industry and local authorities. OCIMF would like to thank VAROPreem for their hospitality.
For more information, contact Ton Mol, Barge Adviser,
OCIMF and Navios South American Logistics Inc. to co-host a workshop
OCIMF and Navios South American Logistics Inc. are hosting an exclusive Safety & River Operations Workshop titled: 'A Shared Commitment, Safer Operations'.
This event will focus on sharing best practices, incidents and strengthening safety standards for operations along the waterway.
Event details:
- Date: 12 November 2026
- Time: 09:00 to 17:00
- Location: AYMAC 3 Building, 17th Floor — Asunción, Paraguay
To attend the event please complete the following registration form: https://forms.gle/ZtMfAQDTVnR2r6z9A and reserve your spot.
If you have any questions, contact OCIMF Barge Adviser,
Maritime Security Committee joins Trade Winds of War workshop
In early September, members of OCIMF's MSC took part in the annual Trade Winds of War workshop at the US Naval War College in Rhode Island, alongside industry and military partners.
The workshop brought together maritime security stakeholders to examine current global challenges and agree practical areas for further collaboration. Notably:
- Building a shared understanding of the evolving threats facing the maritime community.
- Strengthening naval awareness of commercial shipping operations and priorities.
- Exploring a reporting framework for the Western Pacific that reflects lessons identified globally.
- Supporting sustainable growth in qualified mariners and naval specialties that enable effective civil-military cooperation.
Middle East conflict
If members not represented on the MSC feel they lack operational information or advice, please reach out to Russell Pegg, OCIMF Security Adviser,
Joint INTERTANKO Latin American Panel and OCIMF Day
OCIMF will be holding a joint panel with INTERTANKO in Cartagena, Colombia, on Tuesday 13 October 2026.
This joint event brings together respective members and industry stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the maritime energy sector in Latin America and beyond. Through presentations and discussion, attendees will gain insights into regional developments, collaborative initiatives between INTERTANKO and OCIMF, and the latest revisions to key publications. The event also provides an excellent opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas and strengthen collaboration in support of safer and more efficient maritime operations.
Timings:
08:30–09:00 Registration and refreshments
09:00–12:30 INTERTANKO Latin American Panel
12:30–14:00 Lunch
14:00–17:15 OCIMF Day
17:15–19:15 Networking reception
Venue:
Hyatt Regency Cartagena, 12-118 Carrera 1, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar 130000
OCIMF engagement at Kuala Lumpur OVID User Forum and Oil & Gas Asia
OCIMF was delighted to bring together the offshore marine community in Kuala Lumpur for a successful OVID User Forum followed by participation at Oil & Gas Asia.
Approximately 70 people attended the OVID User Forum on 1 September, representing a strong cross-section of the offshore vessel assurance community. The event created an open and constructive environment for users to share experience, discuss current programme performance and hear more about planned improvements to the OVID Programme. The level of participation and thoughtful discussion demonstrated the continued commitment of industry colleagues to strengthening offshore vessel safety, assurance and operational excellence.
OCIMF Secretariat colleagues were also pleased to attend Oil & Gas Asia from 2–4 September. One of the region’s leading energy sector events, it facilitated conversations with members, partners and stakeholders. These engagements help reinforce OCIMF’s role as a trusted collaborator, bringing industry together to build a shared understanding and support the delivery of best practice in the energy sector.
OCIMF and GOMO promote greater alignment
OCIMF is pleased to announce that guidance from its information paper The Carriage of Methanol in Bulk Onboard Offshore Vessels has been incorporated into GOMO | Guidelines for Offshore Marine Operations, as Appendix 10-E.
OCIMF has withdrawn The Carriage of Methanol in Bulk Onboard Offshore Vessels from its website and directs users to GOMO for future access to the guidance.
By supporting the incorporation of this guidance into GOMO, OCIMF is helping to promote greater alignment and reduce duplication across industry publications, while continuing to support the development and sharing of international offshore operational best practices.
For more information, contact Christopher Holland, OCIMF Offshore Adviser,
New information paper out now
OCIMF is delighted to share it has published the revised information paper Safety Critical Equipment and Spare Parts Guidance.
This information paper provides guidance on safety critical equipment and associated spare parts for companies to consider when preparing a safety management system in alignment with the ISM Code. It outlines a proactive risk-based approach to identify, document, and maintain safety critical equipment and associated safety critical spare parts. This information paper replaces the first edition, published in 2018.
Structures Expert Group
19th meeting: 3 September 2026 (virtual)
Lead: Jeff Bayham (ExxonMobil)
Co-lead: Gerard Spaan (Shell)
Secretary: Lexy Nielsen (OCIMF Engineering Adviser)
September’s SEG meeting focused on upcoming OCIMF publication revision work and opportunities for greater collaboration with the Floating Systems Expert Group. The group discussed areas of overlap between existing guidance and explored opportunities to streamline publications, improve usability, and enhance applicability across both offshore and nearshore operations. Discussions also considered how future publication initiatives can be coordinated across both groups while balancing current workload and ongoing revision projects.
The group reviewed progress across its active publication revisions. The revision of the Guidelines for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of Multi Buoy Moorings is approaching final drafting, with a face-to-face review session planned for October. The Mooring Equipment Guidelines (MEG) revision continues to gain momentum, with more than 75 industry representatives now participating across the Working Group and technical advisory activities.
SEG members continue to support the development and harmonisation of maritime standards through participation in PIANC and BSI activities, including the upcoming review of BS 6349-6.
For enquiries, contact Lexy Nielsen, OCIMF Engineering Adviser,
IMO news
12th session of the Sub-committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 12)
CCC 12 took place at the IMO headquarters from 14 to 18 September 2026. Preceded by an intersessional working group on alternative fuels, the Sub-committee achieved the following:
- Finalised the revised guidelines for safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuels. These contain functional requirements for shipboard installations to ensure that their safety philosophy and reliability are equivalent to conventional oil-fuelled machinery systems.
- Agreed on the scope of guidelines for ships using Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage Systems (OCCS). The intent is to remain technology-neutral and safety-focused. Environmental performance and carbon accounting, i.e. aspects that do not concern safety, are considered out of scope.
Next steps include the development of guidelines for OCCS and low-flashpoint oil fuels, and revision of guidelines for fuel cell power installations. These will be developed intersessionally, through correspondence groups reporting to CCC 13 in 2027.
IMO Secretary-General briefing to Member States and NGOs
The Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, has been updating Member States and consultative NGOs on the work of the IMO Secretariat through regular face-to-face briefings.
Ahead of World Maritime Day on 24 September, he expressed deep concerns over innocent civilian seafarer lives lost in the attacks on commercial ships in recent months and highlighted the importance of upholding the regulatory framework keeping shipping and seafarers safe. He spoke about the impact of conflict on families, the maritime supply chain and the wider economy, urging all delegates to continue to raise these matters with respective governments and international forums with a view to finding solutions to current regional conflicts.
A summary report for CCC 12 will be issued in due course. For enquiries regarding IMO matters and meeting participation, contact Abhijit Aul, Risk and Regulatory Affairs Adviser,