DNV is assigning top priority to the elimination of sub-standard shipping and, to this end, it has adopted a risk-based approach to ensure shipowners meet acceptable class standards.
DNV’s scheme for targeting potentially sub-standard ships, dubbed the Five-Point Plan (see side bar), has over the past few years been instrumental in the deletion of close to 100 vessels due to violations of rules and regulations, with nine ships currently under special surveillance.
Dedicated “Flying Squads” of experienced surveyors make up one element of DNV’s Five-Point Plan to remove sub-standard shipping. “Serious quality cases are the biggest threat to public confidence in shipping so we consider quality to be the single most important factor for improving safety,” says Tor E. Svensen, chief operating officer of DNV Maritime.
Eyes and ears
“Although the world maritime safety record has improved, DNV wants to improve it even further,” says Svensen. “To this end, we implemented a number of initiatives to enhance the quality of DNV ships. As examples, we have improved the monitoring of UTM measuring and the companies that do it. Also, we appointed a team of 18 highly experienced surveyors who are ready to make visits at short notice to DNV-classed vessels that are under suspicion of being sub-standard and to carry out comprehensive checks. Our surveyors are our eyes and ears and we are totally reliant on their quality and experience.”
“When there is a need, these special people are sent out,” says Kjell Olaisen, head of DNV’s class systematics and ships in operation services department. “An in-house risk analysis of DNV-classed ships has led to about 100 vessels being subjected to special follow-ups by flying squads because they were close to the limit of what was acceptable according to DNV’s Rules.”
Olaisen is, however, positive about the figures. “Despite the fact that we now follow the ships up much more closely, the number deleted from DNV class has not increased noticeably. Over time, the quality of the ships has improved,” he says. He admits, however, that DNV still needs to have a high priority on sub-standard ships as “there are probably more ships out there that ought to have been on the scheme.”
The special targeting scheme is based on an objective table of parameters. Olaisen explains: “Ships earn ‘negative’ points if they have, for example, bad class reports, port state control detentions, record of poor maintenance, blacklisted flag, are old and have steel thickness close to the limits, have questionable manager performance.”
A majority of the ships deleted from DNV class go to other classification societies that are not members of the international classification society organisation IACS. “The fact is that these classification societies do not operate with IACS’ minimum standard regarding safety. That’s a problem. An accident on a ship affects the entire industry,” adds Olaisen.
Additional 40 surveyors
DNV is in the process of employing an additional 40 ships in operation surveyors as part of its quality drive. Extraordinary investments of USD 10 million in quality measures show that DNV is seriously stepping up its efforts to fight sub-standard shipping. However, DNV believes that the responsibility for safety at sea is shared by many different organisations; class alone cannot maintain safety. In addition, parties that directly or indirectly affect maritime safety, such as charterers, legislators and the public, have to make sure that there is an incentive for quality shipping.
“Shipowners know that detentions cost time and money. DNV is committed to supporting owners in quality ship operations while the authorities crack down on sub-standard ships and owners,” says Svensen. Under his leadership, DNV Maritime’s activities have achieved their strongest position ever – of the total world fleet, 16.4% is now in DNV class.
“It’s 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 reaching our all-time high share of the world fleet, port state detention statistics reveal that DNV-classed vessels have one of the lowest detention ratios worldwide. This demonstrates that our customers place great value on quality and that our follow-up services work.”