"At a time of rapid technological advancement and evolving regulatory expectations, investments like this demonstrate how our industry continues to move forward responsibly. "
Director's Log
As we consider how best to support mariners affected by the Middle East conflict, our focus is straightforward: keep seafarers at the centre of decision-making, ensuring their wellbeing and ability to operate safely remain the priority throughout this period of disruption.
This month OCIMF issued an information bulletin: Prolonged Disruption, Elevated Threat and the Safe Conduct of Maritime Operations. The bulletin reinforces good practice and highlights relevant human factors considerations. It emphasises the importance of clear ship–shore communication and shared understanding. It recognises that sustained disruption, uncertainty and workload pressures can affect humans and their performance over time. Supporting wellbeing and listening to operational concerns are therefore fundamental to safe operations. 
The bulletin encourages organisations to factor in more time for planning, preparation and additional verification before critical high-risk tasks, and to avoid unnecessary administrative burden which may detract from safe operational focus. It further emphasises the importance of capturing and sharing learnings from operations under sustained pressure, including what enables work to be done safely, strengthens resilience and preparedness.
We will continue working with IMO, partner NGOs and charitable organisations until tensions ease and freedom of navigation is restored.
If you haven’t seen it, please find the information bulletin here: Prolonged Disruption, Elevated Threat and the Safe Conduct of Maritime Operations
Karen Davis
Director OCIMF
Do you have news that you'd like to share with our readers? If so email
Specialists gather at Green Award Foundation Board of Experts
OCIMF Barge Adviser, Ton Mol and Publications and Advocacy Director, Darron L. Biddle attended the Green Award Foundation Board of Experts (BoE) meeting in Rotterdam, joining a cross-section of experienced specialists from port authorities, regulatory bodies, insurers, classification societies and vessel owners.
Representing both inland barging and deepsea shipping perspectives, participants reviewed and made recommendations to the Green Award vessel survey schemes. Also at this meeting, Saurabh Sachdeva was introduced as the newly appointed Executive Director and Keita Shinohara as Chief Operating Officer.
IACS celebrates 100th General Policy Group meeting
OCIMF’s Engineering Adviser attended the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) General Policy Group (GPG) 100th meeting special event in Istanbul on 21 April.
Marking the 100th GPG meeting since IACS was established in 1986, Secretary General Robert Ashdown noted the significance of the milestone and highlighted the GPG as the driving force of IACS, bringing together 12 classification societies representing around 90% of world tonnage.
The programme reinforced IACS’ role as a purely technical body, supporting the IMO through unified technical standards for the design, construction and maintenance of ships, and through guidance that helps ensure consistent interpretation and implementation of regulations. Presentations also underscored the ongoing work of IACS Panels, Expert and Small Groups, and Joint Industry Working Groups in addressing multifaceted changes across the industry. OCIMF congratulates IACS on this milestone and looks forward to continued collaboration on practical, safety focused guidance for the global fleet.
Visit OCIMF at Offshore Technology Conference
In a first for OCIMF, we will be an exhibitor at Offshore Technology Conference | OTC 2026 | Houston, 4-7 May 2026, to highlight OCIMF’s offshore publications and programmes activities.
Several OCIMF member representatives will be joining us at the OCIMF booth (OCIMF will provide a badge/pass) to help us share the story of what OCIMF is doing in the offshore space. If you or your team members are interested in joining us at the OCIMF booth, please contact
If you cannot join us, but will be at OTC, stop by and visit us at booth #3411 OTC 2026 Booth Map
Learn about existing offshore publications and ongoing efforts of the Floating Systems and Offshore Vessel Operations work groups, such as:
- Revision of Guide to Manufacturing and Purchasing Hoses for Offshore Moorings (GMPHOM).
- Revision of Guidelines on the Marine Assessment of F(P)SOs.
- Revision of Offshore Vessel Management and Self Assessment (OVMSA).
- Development of new publication, Best Practices for the Management of Lifesaving Appliances (LSA) on Fixed and Floating Offshore Installations.
- Improvements to OVID programme.
- OCIMF support of industry best practice GOMO | Guidelines for Offshore Marine Operations.
For more information, contact Christopher Holland, Offshore Adviser,
Houston OVID User Forum
7 May 2026
OCIMF will be hosting an OVID User Forum in Houston, TX, US on 7 May focusing on OVID Programme users to discuss the use of the OVID Programme.
The agenda will cover publications updates, OVID User Survey results, OVID inspection statistics, planned improvements to the OVID Programme, and Q&A with inspectors, vessel operators and OCIMF members.
OCIMF plans to hold a similar session in Southeast Asia later in 2026.
For queries, contact Christopher Holland, OCIMF Offshore Adviser,
OCIMF holds successful SIRE Inspector Engagement Forum
OCIMF hosted a half-day inspector engagement forum for SIRE Cat-1 Inspectors in Houston on Monday 20 April.
Sashi is exceptionally qualified to take on this responsibility and will continue the great work that has been done so far in this post. We would like to acknowledge Sashi’s outstanding efforts in member engagement, his undeniable knowledge of the subject matter, and his tenacity to see things through. He has consistently gone the extra mile to deliver services, and we’re confident he will bring the same dedication to this new role.
Sashi will continue to work remotely in the role, enabling him to incorporate advocacy and project work while contributing to member and Secretariat collaboration.
Publications news
Mooring Equipment Guidelines update
The expert review of OCIMF’s Mooring Equipment Guidelines (MEG4) has now been completed, incorporating input from the Structures, Engineering, Ship to Ship and Nautical Expert Groups and the Human Factors Committee. The project plan for the 5th edition (MEG5) is currently being drafted and a working group will soon be formed to support the revision of this flagship publication.
If you would like more details, or wish to participate in the working group, please contact Lexy Nielsen, OCIMF Engineering Adviser,
Closed Cargo Operations in South and Central America
OCIMF's information paper Recommendation for converting Inland Tank-Barges from Open to Closed Cargo Operations in South and Central America is now available in translation:
- Spanish: Recomendaciones para la conversión de embarcaciones tanque de Operación Abierta a Operación Cerrada en Sud y Centro América
- Portuguese: Recomendação para Conversão de Barcaças na Navegação Interior de Operação de Carga Aberta para Operação de Carga Fechada na América Central e América do Sul
Security news
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) – Report Q1 2026
On 8 April the IMB launched its Q1 report highlighting the lowest first-quarter maritime piracy and armed robbery figures since 1991. Just 16 incidents were recorded worldwide, down from 45 in Q1 2025 and 33 in Q1 2024. The incidents included 14 vessels boarded, one hijacking and one attempted attack.
The IMB Director Michael Howlett said, “It is very positive to see reported maritime piracy and armed robbery incidents fall to their lowest first quarter levels since 1991. This evidences the positive effects of timely reporting and sustained cooperation, but continued vigilance is essential to keep seafarers safe and shipping routes secure.”
The full report can be found here.
IMO news
50th session of the IMO Facilitation Committee (FAL 50)
FAL 50 took place from 23 to 27 February 2026 at the IMO headquarters in London with the following developments of relevance to OCIMF membership.
Approval of IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalisation
- This Strategy aims to improve efficiency across the maritime industry by facilitating sharing of ship-related data. In doing so, it also seeks to enhance navigational safety, environmental performance and cyber-resilience. Subject to further review and adoption by Assembly, this Strategy will be applied across all IMO bodies and work processes.
Cybersecurity for Maritime Single Windows (MSWs)
- MSWs serves as digital platforms to facilitate information exchange regarding port arrival, stay and departure between ships and maritime agencies. Amendments to the FAL Convention requiring mandatory cybersecurity measures to protect MSWs were approved by FAL 50.
113th session of the IMO Legal Committee (LEG 50)
LEG 113 took place from 13 to 17 April at the IMO headquarters in London with the following developments of relevance to OCIMF membership.
Upcoming entry-into-force of the 2010 HNS Protocol
- The Hazard and Noxious Substances (HNS) Protocol, amending the 1996 HNS Convention, aims to provide compensation for environmental and property damage caused by a broad range of products including oils, low-flashpoint liquids and chemically hazardous solid bulk cargoes. Recent ratification by a number of Contracting States to the Protocol means that the 2010 HNS Protocol is expected to enter into force in November 2027.
Other matters
- Guidelines to improve transparency and due diligence in ship registration, and prevent fraudulent flag registrations were approved by LEG 113.
- An intersessional correspondence group (CG) will conduct a regulatory scoping exercise of IMO conventions to identify any regulatory gaps and develop measures to address substandard shipping.
- A CG to address regulatory gaps in relation to liability and compensation for incidents involving alternative fuels will work intersessionally and report to LEG 114 next year.
Marine Environmental Protection Committee
- The 21st intersessional working group on GHG matters (ISWG-GHG) met from 20 to 24 April to discuss elements related to the mid-term measures and guidance related to lifecycle GHG intensity of marine fuels and will report to MEPC 84 in the week following. Further information will be provided in due course.
Summary reports will be issued in due course. For enquiries regarding IMO matters and meeting participation, contact Abhijit Aul, Risk and Regulatory Affairs Adviser,