Introduction of new technologies and integration of multiple operations make operations of modern vessels increasingly complex. As society is gradually adopting a ”zero tolerance” to failure, forward thinking organizations and stakeholders expect clear management of safety, health and environmental issues. Managing operational safety and risk is therefore becoming increasingly business critical in the maritime industry. Efficient, reliable and safe operations are the key to success.
Our approach
A standard risk management process is the basis for our services. Depending on the issues to be assessed, the appropriate selection from DNV’s range of risk tools and discipline competence will be applied, often adapted to all or a selection of the five steps of the IMO Formal Safety Assessment (FSA)* process.
The first FSA step, Identification of Hazards (HAZID), is very important. The aim is to find an answer to the question “What can go wrong?” The next step is to analyze and assess the risk; “How likely is it?” and “How bad can it be”. When this is established, it is possible to consider actions for controlling the risk.
The FSA can either be performed on a qualitative or quantitative basis. While the qualitative assessment is suitable to establish a common risk picture among the participants of a HAZID workshop, a Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) provides comparable figures on the risk exposure to people, assets, environment, business and other areas of interest.
Our risk management approach also includes technical Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and benchmark assessment of safety culture towards the DNV Insight database industry average.
New concepts and technology
When introducing new vessel concepts where prescriptive requirements are not possible to meet, flag state authorities may accept deviation if an equivalent or higher safety level can be demonstrated. E.g. for LNG fuelled vessels, risk assessments are required for approval by flag.
DNV’s technology qualification process provides evidence that a new technology will function within specified operational limits with an acceptable level of confidence. Risk assessments are an integrated and important part of this process (DNV-RP-A203 Qualification of New Technology).
Human factors
Acknowledging the complex nature of accidents has led to an increased focus on human and organizational factors. Incident investigations have shown that while technology and safety management still play an important role in minimizing risk, it is the interaction of human, organizational and technological factors which ultimately determines safety performance.
DNV has long experience in integrating human factor principles in risk and safety management, both on operational and organizational levels. Key services include:
Risk assessment and simulation of complex marine operations w.r.t. human factors
Safety culture assessment and improvement
Crew Recourse Management (CRM)
Human-Machine-Interface evaluation and design
Navigational risk
The risk associated with ship navigation contributes significantly to owners’, charterer’s and maritime authorities’ overall risk picture in terms of loss of lives, loss of assets, impact on the environment and economic claims.
DNV have developed advanced risk analysis models for assessing the frequency and consequence of undesired accidents like grounding, collision, fire/explosions, loss of stability and structural integrity. The models may be used to assess the risk related to a certain trade, a certain port, a terminal, a geographical area or the risk related to a certain vessel.