Monday 24 May, DNV announced that it has issued a statement of compliance to Teekay Shipping for its competence management system. The standard used is the DNV SeaSkill Standard for Certification of Competence Management Systems.

The new standard ensures continuous improvement in competence management, with regular audits of both on-shore systems and ships.

This is a unique standard in the maritime world and helps organisations put in place a certified system to develop and manage competence. It is expected to become the standard-bearer of competence management systems in the maritime sector. DNV is the only class society to offer such certification.

Speaking at a manning and training conference in Oslo, Bjorgulf Haukelid, Head of DNV SeaSkill said, "The new standard will assist organisations that place competence management on their list of priorities. It sets the bar high enough to ensure continuous improvement in competence management and takes into account both the business goals of an organisation and statutory requirements."

Haukelid predicts that only the best-run organisations in the maritime industry will be able to meet the exacting demands of the standard and the certification process. "Over a period of time, it will make it possible for leading companies, such as Teekay, to separate themselves from the followers. It will also assist organisations that are in the process of setting up their own competence management systems, by using the standard as a reference. The result will be a more professional approach to competence," he said.

For more information contact: Shankar.Narayan@dnv.com