Facing a world of growing risk
This issue of DNV Forum appears at a time of economic uncertainty for land-based businesses but remarkable growth for companies involved in the maritime sector. The former are still recovering from 2003, a year characterised by war in Iraq, the SARS epidemic in Asia, and general economic malaise throughout most of Europe, Africa and Latin America.
The future and beyond
As Efthimios E. Mitropoulos begins his first four-year tenure as the seventh Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation, he is under no illusion that there are a number of key areas that will underlie what the IMO does in the near future and beyond. The first, he says, is to concentrate on the implementation of existing standards rather than the development of new ones.
Banking on tankers
As part of its commitment to becoming the first-choice provider in the oil transportation industry, Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) continues building up a state-of-the-art tanker fleet.
Restis adapts for the future
The Restis Group is adapting for the future. Like many Greek shipowners, the Group is looking into new areas of operation. Chief executive officer Victor S. Restis here explains why the profile of the Greek fleet is rapidly changing.
RCCL hoists quality flag
Every 20 minutes Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) hires a new employee. With a growth in capacity of 15 percent and a 15 percent turnover among its employees, the company renews 30 percent of its staff each year. This is an enormous challenge for RCCL which, with its focus on passengers, has zero tolerance for errors, defects and unwanted events.
Finding the right balance
World-Wide Shipping director Andreas Sohmen-Pao highlights the challenges facing the shipping industry and the regulatory bodies.
KOTC wants more
The Kuwait Oil Tanker Company, KOTC, is renewing its fleet. DNV is actively involved with pre-planning and specifications and will later provide class services throughout the vessels life time. But Mahmoud Abdullah of KOTC wants more. He wants class to speak up to ensure hard facts dominate the politics of tanker safety regulations.
LNG for California
According to the Australia-based energy company, BHP Billiton, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) may be the solution to the forecast energy shortage that threatens California and other parts of the USA. To meet this projected demand, BHP Billiton has proposed a USD 600-million project, Cabrillo Port, to bring LNG to the West Coast of the North America, as well as the rest of Southern California.
A mobile, global customer
Ericsson, the Swedish-based global telecom company, has identified a need to align and improve its organisation's management systems worldwide. To achieve the company's objectives for excellence, DNV's Global Customer Management service has been utilised to define and implement an Ericsson-wide certification programme based on a business-oriented assessment methodology, Risk Based Assessment.
Noble Drilling: At the forefront of enviromental performance
Continuous improvement of environmental performance is the "right thing to do" at Noble Corporation. The company pioneered ISO 14001 certification among offshore drilling contractors and recently took the industry lead in creating a greenhouse gas emissions inventory for its global operations.
Mero CR gains from integrated management
Mero CR is a Czech, crude oil transport company that makes use of quality, environment and safety management systems to achieve its defined goals and to gain a competitive advantage in the market.
BSP teams with DNV on innovative repair project
Maximum reliability and a high level of availability were vital factors in Brunei Shell Petroleum's decision to carry out the "world's first" repair of large subsea riser bends without production shutdown. DNV was responsible for development engineering, testing and qualification of the repair project.
EFQM and DNV to collaborate on responsible corporate citizenship
A partnership between DNV and EFQM aimed at promoting responsible corporate citizenship was recently announced in Paris. Alain de Dommartin, chief executive officer of EFQM, and Miklos Konkoly-Thege, president and chief executive officer of Det Norske Veritas (DNV), signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting responsible corporate citizenship through the effective use of leading-edge management practices.
DNVPS appoints new managing director
Per Holmvang has succeeded Rex Lim as the managing director of DNV Petroleum Services following the latter's recent retirement.
Quality certificates awarded to Ferrari and Maserati
DNV has awarded ISO 9001:2000 certificates to Ferrari and Maserati in Italy.
DNV accredited by UN Climate Change Panel
DNV is the first company to be accredited by the UN Climate Change Panel to validate projects undertaken by companies based in industrialised countries which invest in climate change initiatives in the developing world. The accreditation consolidates DNV's strong position in the international climate change arena.
DNV listed as private control body
DNV Certification has been recognized as a private control body for three quality mark food standards. The three quality marks released by the European Community intend to protect products that are linked to a specific region, such as Parma ham, Feta cheese or specific olive oils or beers. The marks give consumers confidence in product authenticity.
DNV is preparing umbilical guidelines
A Joint Industry Project (JIP) has been established to publish guidelines on the design, fabrication, maintenance and operation of umbilicals.
DNV secures Conoco pipework contract
DNV Technology Services in Aberdeen has recently won a pipework integrity contract with Conoco Ltd. at their Humber Refinery in England.
DNV provides pipeline inspection services to Statoil
DNV Technology Services has been awarded a worldwide frame contract with Statoil. The contract covers inspection services for offshore pipelaying and the follow-up of components for the next two years, with one-year options to extend the contract.
Mexican standoff: Is PEMEX ready for increased foreign investment?
Today, Mexico's state owned oil company Petroleos de Mexico (PEMEX) has full responsibility for exploration, production and distribution of the nation's oil and gas. Yet due to the pressures of the global marketplace and recommendations from the World Bank which encouraged foreign investment, Mexico's oil industry is expected to change.