The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) subcommittee on ship design and equipment has concluded a session where actions to strengthen existing bulk carriers were in focus. "If the new IACS and IMO requirements are complied with and the bulk carriers are properly maintained, both single and double skin bulk carriers meet today's safety requirements," says Tor Svensen, the newly appointed maritime Chief Operating Officer of DNV.
DNV is satisfied that the shipping industry has taken important steps towards raising the level of safety - also for the existing single skin bulk carriers.
When questioned on why DNV chose to express views on this subject now that IMO has decided that all new bulk carriers are to have a double skin, Tor Svensen says:
"Let's not forget that the purpose of classification is to manage risk, that is, to bring the risk of losing ships and crew down to a level which is acceptable to society."
"The actions taken to strengthen existing bulk carriers in Chapter XII of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the IACS/IMO requirements proposed in 2002/2003 accomplish this purpose. If these requirements are complied with and the bulk carriers are properly maintained, both single and double skin bulk carriers meet today's safety requirements," Mr. Svensen states.
"There might be operational or commercial reasons for some owners switching to a double skin design, but we should not confuse the issue."
"An early phase out of single skin bulk carriers would immediately create a two-tier market and push safe bulk carriers into oblivion. Such a removal of what are today's workhorses of the world fleet should at least not be argued for as a safety concern," concludes Svensen.
With more than 10% of the world's single skin bulk carriers in its class, DNV is concerned that decisions taken for commercial or political reasons will be blamed on safety.