Tor E. Svensen believes quality is core to the perpetuation of DNV Maritime's strong market growth
Addressing delegates at DNV's Nordic Committee for Safety at Sea in Hovik recently, Tor E. Svensen, chief operating officer of DNV Maritime, said: "DNV has achieved its current position (16.4 percent of the world's fleet) by excellent customer service management and its strong focus on quality, profitability and size. Our efforts to assist owners in upgrading their fleets and operations are showing good results. Also, we're still a top performer on port state statistics."
Svensen appears confident that DNV will fare well in 2004. He maintains, however, that DNV has to improve its performance. "I am satisfied with our safety figures and the reductions in accidents and fatalities over the past few years. But we cannot relax at any point. Everyone has to search for continuous improvement and listen to people outside the industry," said Svensen.
Major challenges
Echoing opinions from a number of other delegates during the one-day event, Svensen also believes shipping faces major international challenges ahead. "Many issues will challenge the maritime sector in 2004. The EU will start closing its harbours to single-hulled tankers and criminal penalties are being introduced for oil pollution. Zero tolerance to accidents and increased focus on environmental performance will have a significant impact on the entire maritime industry.
"In addition, there will be increased legislation for shipping, much of it security-related. The ISPS Code comes into force in July, a measure that will force ship operators and port authorities around the world to implement far-reaching security initiatives," said Svensen.
The committee meeting attracted significant interest from the Nordic maritime industry and, according to Committee secretary, Wilhelm Magelssen, was enjoyed by all attending delegates. "The feedback from the participants has been very positive, and we got valuable customer feedback which we can apply in our efforts to improve customer relations and enhance business."
Broad agenda
The event included presentations made by Bjorn Haugland, which focused on the common rules for oil tankers, and developments in the LNG/CNG sector, presented by Gunnar Rod.
Professor Kaj Riska addressed ship operation in cold climates, and committee member Hans Richard Hansen gave a presentation concerning structural fatigue on shuttle tankers in the North Sea. Carl Arne Carlsen also updated the committee on the research activities and projects currently being carried out by DNV Research.
The group work sessions focused on three issues:
- Will common rules benefit shipping?
- Should class expand services linked to human factors?
- How can class assist smaller owners who are building in remote areas?
Committee foreman Goran Hammarberg commented: "The meeting was very well received. The work sessions ended with a feeling that there is an increasing awareness of the problem with the growing gap in knowledge and competence between the various players in the shipping industry, and that DNV is prepared to take on a more proactive role to aid the transfer of competence and knowledge to the new generations of technicians and seafarers."
As usual, the Committee meeting was well attended by senior DNV management, including CEO Miklos Konkoly-Thege who said the key to DNV's positive growth has been the company's focus on balancing quality and cost-effectiveness. "It is gratifying that our growth comes during a period when DNV has been especially active in its work to improve safety at sea. In addition to recently reaching 100 million gross tons, Port State detention statistics reveal that DNV-classed vessels have the lowest detention ratio worldwide. This demonstrates that we have customers who value quality highly, and that our follow up services work."