"Over a thousand delegates participated in this meeting to reach agreement on the mid-term measures to the 2023 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy. "
Director's Log
In April, the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) meetings resulted in significant developments on the voyage to decarbonise international shipping.
Over a thousand delegates participated in this meeting to reach agreement on the mid-term measures to the 2023 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy.
Securing consensus was challenging, with Member States unable to fully align on technical and economic aspects of the proposed mid-term GHG reduction measures. Agreement eventually came in the form of a rare roll-call vote, resulting in the approval of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI and a new Chapter 5 on the IMO net-zero framework.
The new amendments introduce requirements for a Greenhouse gas Fuel Intensity (GFI) metric in combination with a two-tier GHG emissions pricing and reward mechanism. The regulations will apply to vessels above 5,000 GT with exemptions for FPSOs, FSUs and drilling rigs. An extraordinary MEPC in October 2025 will seek to adopt the amendments for it to enter into force in March 2027.
OCIMF has closely monitored developments at MEPC and its working groups, giving an industry perspective to help support appropriate regulation. For additional insight, please contact Risk and Regulatory Affairs Adviser
Karen Davis
Director OCIMF
Fourth joint industry workshop on enclosed space fatalities
Industry organisations gathered at OCIMF’s London office for a full day workshop on 27 March to identify measures to reduce or eliminate deaths in enclosed spaces onboard vessels.
Fatalities due to asphyxiation and/or poisoning in the shipping industry continue, despite numerous rules, regulations and best practice guidance on how to avoid such deaths.
The working group agrees that the maritime industry does not need new procedures relating to enclosed space entries. It has identified the contribution of Performance Influencing Factors (factors that make errors more or less likely) to many of the enclosed space entry incidents. The working group is committed to deepening its understanding and sharing its learnings with the wider industry, with the intention of helping organisations identify and improve these factors to prevent incidents.
The group has published a bulletin outlining its findings so far and ongoing actions, which can be accessed here: Enclosed Space Fatalities – A united industry response (4th meeting)
The working group encourages you to share relevant incidents or data by email to
For further information, contact Kevin Coelho, OCIMF Nautical Adviser,
The organisations above are all represented on the joint industry working group on enclosed space fatalities.
OCIMF tours the Green Pioneer
The Green Pioneer, an ammonia dual-fuelled demonstration vessel, made port calls in London and other UK ports in March and April to demonstrate the viability of ammonia as a marine fuel to reduce GHG emissions.
The former platform supply vessel underwent a two-year conversion to allow two of its four engines to simultaneously burn ammonia and diesel. The owner worked closely with classification society DNV and Flag State Singapore during the conversion process for approval of the design and installation of new equipment and development of new operating procedures to safely manage the bunkering, storage and handling of ammonia as fuel.
On a tour of the Green Pioneer conducted by the crew and the conversion project team, OCIMF Engineering Adviser Alexys Nielsen and Publications and Advocacy Director Darron L. Biddle were joined by representatives from OCIMF member BP Shipping and the Indian Directorate General of Shipping.
Programme Users Surveys now live
OCIMF is pleased to announce that the 2025 Programmes User Surveys for SIRE and OVID went live on 8 April and will remain open for approximately six weeks. The links are available in the messaging centre of the SIRE and OVID account portals.
These surveys are a vital opportunity for all users to provide feedback on their experiences with the Programmes, helping OCIMF to assess performance, identify challenges, and prioritise future improvements. We strongly encourage all stakeholders — from submitting companies, vessel operators, inspectors and recipients — to take part and share their insights.
The rationale for conducting these user surveys is firmly rooted in OCIMF’s commitment to continuous improvement and transparency. The benefits of these surveys extend well beyond OCIMF itself. By incorporating the real-world experiences of Programme users, OCIMF can implement enhancements that raise safety and environmental standards across the maritime industry. This collaborative approach strengthens the integrity and reliability of inspection regimes, supports better decision-making, and ultimately contributes to a safer, more sustainable shipping and offshore sector.
Maritime security news
Piracy and armed robbery report reveals highs and lows
On 15 April, the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB) released its 2025 Q1 report on Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships recording a total of 45 incidents – a 35 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, driven by a spike of incidents in the Singapore Straits. Of the incidents reported, 37 vessels were boarded, four were hijacked and four had attempted attacks. The threat to crew safety remains high with 37 crew members taken hostage, 13 kidnapped, two threatened and one injured. 
The number of incidents in the Gulf of Guinea continues to be at its lowest in nearly 20 years, however, IMB Director Michael Howlett said: “While we welcome the reduction of incidents, the safety of crew members in the Gulf of Guinea remains at greater risk. It is essential to maintain a strong regional and international naval presence to address these incidents and ensure the protection of seafarers.”
The full report can be found here.
Members are encouraged to look at the guidance and reporting procedures in the latest version of the Best Management Practices – Maritime Security.
Offshore news
Marine Safety Forum
The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) is attended by UK regulatory bodies, NGOs and operators and is primarily focused on actively promoting safety within the marine sector of the offshore energy industry. Christopher Holland, OCIMF Offshore Adviser, participated in the 6 March 2025 meeting in person.
Key outcomes of the day include the following:
- Step Change in Safety is releasing a Wellbeing report and a related EnergyVoice podcast interview with Alex Morton of HarbourEnergy.
- IMCA is developing information notes on walk to work, underwater noise guidance, and human factors.
- OPITO Safe Offshore Marine Operations (SOMO) Computer-Based Training (CBT) is soon to be complete.
- Emergency Response & Rescue Vessel Association – Big Persons Offshore (BPO) – Council meeting paper being prepared based on the feedback received.
Guidelines for Offshore Marine Operations (GOMO) steering committee meeting
OCIMF is a steering committee member of GOMO supporting the maintenance and updates of this industry guideline. Christopher Holland, OCIMF Offshore Adviser, participated in the 13 March 2025 steering committee meeting in person.
Highlights of the discussions are:
- The GOMO website will be updated with an improved search function. Subscription to be a two-way communication method, so subscribers will receive notification when chapters are revised.
- Danish Shipping gave an overview of EU Emission Trading Scheme (and IMO Carbon Intensity Indicator) and the work by the European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF) bringing OSVs 400-5000GT into scope, reporting now until 2027 and then TBD.
- Chapter 5 of GOMO is being edited and a volunteer requested to lead the review of Chapter 9 Logistics and Cargo Handling Operations.
- Next meeting to be held in Norway in September.
For more information, contact Christopher Holland, OCIMF Offshore Adviser,
OCIMF attends INTERTANKO meetings
As part of the collaborative work between the two organisations, OCIMF’s Nautical Adviser Kevin Coelho and Human Factors Adviser Maartje Wibrew-Forster attended INTERTANKO's Nautical Sub Committee (NSC) and Human Element in Shipping Committee (HEiSC) meetings in Athens on 19 and 20 March respectively.
Kevin took the opportunity to introduce Maartje to INTERTANKO’s HEiSC members. OCIMF gave a presentation to each committee updating INTERTANKO members on OCIMF’s key activities and publications in progress.
Discussions at the NSC included the following:
- Anchoring joint industry working group – recommendations for strengthening anchoring winches and fittings to withstand deeper water anchoring and more adverse environmental forces.
- Fujairah Anchorage reorganisation – safety concerns around anchoring depths and reduced anchorage space.
- GNSS interference – wrongful operation of GNSS receivers remains a key concern that could result in a major incident.
- Weather routeing systems – some concerns around competence of weather routeing operators (training and experience).
- Security update – Red Sea and Persian Gulf.
- Pilot Ladders – IMO Sub-Committee NCSR – revision of SOLAS reg V/23 to improve the safety of pilot transfer arrangements and mandatory performance standards were approved.
Discussions at the HEiSC included the following:
- Seafarers Initiative – three workstreams targeted at attracting and retaining talent, including tanker operator top-up training and transition to shore.
- INTERTANKO-OCIMF Safety Initiative – including cooperation on human factors related elements.
- Together in Safety initiatives – including Wellbeing Guidelines and Fuel Safety Harmonisation.
- IMO STCW Review – INTERTANKO’s active participation, including cooperation with OCIMF (co-sponsorship of submissions).
- IMO STCW Review Training for Alternative Fuels – including experience requirements (bunkering and watchkeeping) and the usage of simulators.
- Marine Injury Reporting Guidelines – an update by the Vetting Committee.
- Enclosed space entry and falls to water (industry initiatives).
For further information, contact Kevin Coelho, OCIMF Nautical Adviser,
OCIMF meeting reports
Programmes Committee
10th meeting: 25-26 March 2025 (Stavanger, Norway)
Chair: Javed Bhombal (ExxonMobil)
Vice-Chairs: Andrew Rayapan (BP) and Jasjit Jaswal (Excelerate Energy)
Secretary: Aaron Cooper, (OCIMF Programmes Director)
The 10th bi-annual Programmes Committee meeting was held on 25 and 26 March, and kindly hosted by Equinor in Stavanger, Norway. This was an opportunity for the committee to hear updates from each Programmes Expert Group (Innovation and Technology, Programmes Governance, and Inspections Processes) to discuss ongoing work items, priorities and present status as well as an update on SIRE 2.0, six months post-launch. It was also an opportunity to discuss ongoing initiatives, including submitter governance, better use of Programmes data to support work prioritisation, ISO compliance, and the need to re-focus on stakeholder engagement now that SIRE 2.0 is live.
The committee welcomed Jasjit Jaswal from Excelerate Energy into the second vice-chair position.
For more information, please contact Aaron Cooper, Programmes Director
Maritime Security Committee
10th meeting: 8–9 April (London)
Chair: Sarah Thompson (Chevron)
Vice-Chairs: Hemant Berry (AMPOL) and Eric Berger (TotalEnergies)
Secretary: Russell Pegg (OCIMF Security Adviser)
In April, OCIMFs Maritime Security Committee (MSC) met in person for the first time since the pandemic, hosted by Chevron at their office in London. The new Chair and Vice-Chairs took the opportunity to review progress made by the committee in an ever-changing security landscape and set priorities for future work. To aid development and stimulate ideas, Chevron facilitated a scenario-led discussion of potential security concerns in the coming years, which engendered lively discussion and possible work strands for the committee to consider. Key themes were:
- The changing operational environment – challenges and opportunities.
- The viability of counter-drone equipment onboard merchant vessels.
- Media messaging and target audience gaps for security publications.
The committee will next meet, virtually, on 9 June. New members are always welcome – please contact Russell Pegg, OCIMF Security Adviser,
Barge Expert Group
13th meeting: 17 April (virtual)
Lead: Unni Krishnan (IMT)
Secretary: Ton Mol (OCIMF Barge Adviser)
The new Barge Expert Group (BEG) lead Unni Krishnan of IMT opened the meeting and thanked all the members for the work done in the past year. The meeting heard updates on regional barging activities and work on the Global Barge Guide, as well as an update on OCIMF activities and planning for 2025 by P&A Director Darron Biddle and on Programmes activities by Programmes Technical Manager Fahmi Tarmizi. The group discussed the agenda for 2025 and planning for 2026.
Next meeting: 31 July 2025
For any queries, contact Ton Mol, OCIMF Barge Adviser,
Global Barge Guide Working Group – North America
The working group met at IMT's office in Houston from 24–28 March, primarily working on the Global Barge Guide, but also discussing regional issues. The group built on the work done by the South and Central American (SCA) members two weeks earlier, and the next meeting will be a joint one with SCA and North American members in Houston in July. The Global Barge Guide will be the first step to providing a common global best practice for the international barging industry. OCIMF would like to thank Adam Alburger and Michael Bannon of IMT for their hospitality.
For any queries, contact Ton Mol, OCIMF Barge Adviser,
Ship to Ship Expert Group
10th meeting: 11 March 2025 (virtual)
Lead: James Scalli (Shell)
Co-leads: Roopak Puri (Ampol), Simon Toland (Chevron)
Secretary: Kevin Coelho (OCIMF Nautical Adviser)
The Ship-to-Ship Expert Group (STS EG) met virtually for its tenth meeting in March 2025. As well as confirming priorities and plans for 2025, topics discussed and progressed included the following:
- Update on the revision of the Ship to Ship Transfer Guide, which is due to be published later this year
- David Boudreaux from ITOL presented on the use of basket transfers versus pilot ladder personnel transfer.
- Report on the first joint global STS Service Providers (SP) Forum, held at OCIMF’s office in November 2024.
- Plan to conduct a high-level review of the STS SP Management Self Assessment.
Next meeting: July 2025 (to be confirmed)
For further enquiries, contact Kevin Coelho, OCIMF Nautical Adviser,
Ship to Shore Interfaces Expert Group
11th meeting: 13 March 2025 (virtual)
Lead: Anne Beverwijk (Shell)
Co-leads: Stephen Blake (ALNG) and Walter Garibotto (YPF)
Secretary: Kevin Coelho (Nautical Adviser)
The Ship to Shore Interfaces Expert Group (SSEG) met virtually for its 11th meeting to affirm priorities and plans for 2025 and discuss various agenda items, including the following:
- Guest speaker Capt. Matt Easton from Liverpool Pilots spoke about the International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organisations (ISPO), an independent, internationally recognised safety and quality management system for Pilot organisations.
- The Secretary and Lead outlined work being done on two documents:
- The high level review of the Marine Terminal Management Self Assessment(MTMSA) has been completed. A separate piece of work will start in May, looking at MSA alignment (done jointly between members of different EGs). Secretary to work with Leads to develop a TOR for revising the MTMSA.
- The revision of the information paper Manning at Conventional Marine Terminals is ongoing.
Next meeting: July 2025 (TBC)
For enquiries, contact Kevin Coelho, OCIMF Nautical Adviser,
Nautical Expert Group
11th meeting: 17 March 2025 (virtual)
Lead: Nitin Malik (Chevron)
Co-lead: Nitin Chaudhary (BP)
Secretary: Kevin Coelho (Nautical Adviser)
The Nautical Expert Group (NEG) met virtually for its 11th meeting to confirm top navigation risks and agree plans for the next year. Other agenda items included the following:
- A new piece of work on ‘Falls to water’ will start later this year, to be followed by revision of the OCIMF information paper on seafarers' hours of work and rest.
- The information paper on transit of the Danish Straits has been drafted and circulated to external stakeholders for comments.
- Capt. Matt Easton from Liverpool Pilots spoke about the International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organisations (ISPO).
- The Secretary updated the group on the successful enclosed space fatalities joint industry workshops, followed by a good discussion.
Next meeting: June/July 2025 (TBC)
For enquiries, contact Kevin Coelho, OCIMF Nautical Adviser,
IMO news
83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83)
MEPC 83 was held at the IMO headquarters from 7–11 April 2025, with the following developments of relevance to OCIMF members taking place.
Reduction of GHG emissions from international shipping
- MEPC approved the legal text for the IMO Net Zero Framework, applying to ships of 5000 GT and over, as a new chapter to MARPOL Annex VI. This includes a set of mid-term measures consisting of a goal-based marine fuel standard which sets out a two-tier target annual GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI) for a ship. Pricing contributions to an IMO Net-Zero Fund are made based on attained GFI relative to the target. Adoption of these new regulations is expected to take place during an extraordinary MEPC session in October 2025 for an anticipated entry into force during 2027.
- First phase review of short-term measures, i.e. including ship’s operational carbon intensity (CII) related regulations, was completed and included newly introduced CII reduction factors for the years 2027 to 2030.
Matters related to air pollution and energy efficiency
- NOx emissions: new guidance on the use of selective catalytic systems adopted.
- Exhaust gas cleaning systems: expect task team to develop data sets and standardised methodologies to inform environmental risks of scrubber discharge water.
- Onboard carbon capture: finalisation of a work plan to develop regulatory framework for the use of this technology on board.
- Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from engines: guidelines for onboard measurements adopted.
The aquatic environment
- Ballast Water Management Convention: intersessional correspondence group to work on an updated list of outstanding objectives associated with the convention, along with operational issues related to Ballast Water Management systems.
- New Emissions Control Area (ECA) designated in the North-east Atlantic Ocean.
- Biofouling: approval of guidance on in-water cleaning of ships’ biofouling.
A full summary report for MEPC 83 will be released to members in due course.
For enquiries regarding IMO matters, contact Abhijit Aul, Risk and Regulatory Affairs Adviser,