OCIMF’s Vessel Inspection Programme (VIP) Project Progress Update

OCIMF’s work to review and improve upon its Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE) tanker risk assessment tool has been progressing at pace, and we are entering the most critical year in the development of the refreshed vessel inspection programme, SIRE 2.0, which is scheduled for delivery in early 2022.

By following a risk-based approach, the new vessel inspection programme will build upon the existing programme through an enhanced inspection regime, processes and tools that will provide richer insight into the safety of a vessel on an ongoing basis.

For Programme Recipients and Submitting Companies, SIRE 2.0 will provide greater transparency and actionable insight to ensure vessels are being operated and maintained to the highest standards. Under the SIRE 2.0 programme Inspectors will benefit from an ongoing programme of enhanced technical and human factors training and more efficient processes that will aid their ability to identify and address issues of risk. The new inspection regime will also promote a way of working where openness and learning are a priority, and where Inspectors are able to engage in a more meaningful way with vessel operators and crew in order to identify the conditions and systems which are a challenge for crew.

For industry as a whole, SIRE 2.0 will ultimately provide a substantially more efficient, intuitive and future-proof inspection regime that will further help to reduce harm to people and the environment.

Current Project Status

The project is due to be rolled out in early 2022. To date, the VIP Steering Group and three Working Groups have focused on Governance, Inspection, and Technology and Innovation.

Over the coming six months, a significant amount of effort will be focused on further progressing:

1. Beta testing of tablet devices.
2. Consultations on IT technical specification for integration.
3. Trial inspections using the new regime and tablet devices.
4. Development and delivery of training and familiarisation programmes.
5. Question set library completion.
6. Further work on policies and procedures.
7. Recruitment of Quality Assessors for the programme.

More detailed information will be provided to relevant stakeholders on each of these aspects in due course.

Expanded Project Team

Given the significance of this project and the considerable amount of work required to develop the enhanced programme, OCIMF has recruited additional expertise and made dedicated appointments to the VIP Project Team, while also committing a significant amount of OCIMF resource to progressing work.

Most recently, OCIMF appointed Simon Robinson, Human Factors Training Project Adviser – Vessel Inspection Project (VIP) to support the development of the Human Factors/Soft Skills training programme, Nigel Walker as VIP Technical Training Project Adviser, providing coordination and support in the development and delivery of the SIRE 2.0 training programme and Tony Jones as VIP Quality Assurance Project Adviser, providing support in the development of SIRE 2.0 question templates, policies, procedures and user guidance. Simon was the first Chair of the OCIMF Human Factors Focus Group until August 2020 and is a former Chair of the International Oil and Gas Producers Association (IOGP) Human Factor Subcommittee. Nigel and Tony are both accomplished SIRE Inspectors and Auditors with a wealth of industry experience.

They join the Secretariat VIP Project Team, headed by OCIMF Programmes Director, Sam Megwa.

Management of Change

OCIMF recognises that this is a significant change for Programmes Participants, i.e. Submitting Companies, Programmes Recipients, Inspectors, Vessel Operators and wider industry, and the development and implementation of SIRE 2.0 needs to be handled with critical attention. OCIMF’s Vessel Inspection Project (VIP) Steering Group and Working Groups have been consulting with Programmes Participants and industry partners in the development of SIRE 2.0 for several years and will continue to do so wherever relevant and practicable.

Throughout the year, further information will be provided regarding participation in webinars, training, familiarisation sessions and consultation processes, which will require participation from OCIMF members and Programme Participants. More comprehensive updates relevant to specific user groups will also be shared on a frequent basis through AFM’s and SIRE Portal announcements. We ask that all our members engage with these initiatives and help by providing input and expertise when required.

It is important to stress that while OCIMF develops SIRE 2.0, the existing SIRE programme will continue to be supported and improved, ensuring SIRE incorporates the latest industry standards, best practices and regulations.