Sights set on expanding its business as a technical operator, Lisbon-based Marenostrum now manages five oil tankers and a chemical carrier. Central to the company’s expansion plans is its focus on quality systems to satisfy the most stringent flag and port state requirements and class rules and regulations.
Without denying its commercial connections to Portugals Soponata Group, Marenostrums strategy is to broaden its base by attracting other quality-conscious shipowners.
Over the years, we have been building up our infrastructure to promote our quality management, philosophy and services on an international scale, says Armando Pinto Ferreira, managing director of Marenostrum.
A solid infrastructure is important to quality ship management, and Armando Ferreira is determined that Marenostrum is to be representative of the best top-line technical ship management available to the industry.
The company has initiated several measures to achieve this goal. Upon its incorporation in 1992, it began working towards obtaining safety and management class certification with DNV. Accredited to DNVs SEP management system, Marenostrum now meets the safety and environmental requirements of international standards.
SEP was the first step in establishing our long-term commitment to quality, says Ferreira. He explains, Our approach and commitment to safety and quality management extend far beyond regulatory compliance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, as illustrated by the range of certification standards achieved by the company since implementing the SEP management system in September 1996.
Rather than regard the Code as one more piece of legislation to be complied with, we took advantage of the opportunity provided by adoption of IMO Resolution A.748 (18) to develop and improve our existing management system to meet measurable, recognised standards.
Consequently, we have been awarded ISM, DNV SEP and ISO 9002:1994 certification. The positive impact of implementing quality systems has been confirmed by a fall in the number, type and seriousness of incidents recorded by both ships and crew.
Strict manning requirements
As a major tanker operator, Marenostrum complies with all regulatory tanker operation and safety standards. As part of its service, the company regularly evaluates the manning, training and qualification standards on all its vessels. Its strict manning policy meets high international standards and its objective of having qualified and trained personnel both onboard and ashore.
Every year, we monitor the qualifications and experience of officers and crew to ensure that standard requirements are being fulfilled, says Ferreira.
Promoting a corporate philosophy of responsibility at sea through its quality-assurance procedures, Marenostrum is committed to first-class vessel maintenance. The company utilises the AMOS software package to regularly review all individual components of machinery, systems and tank areas on board. The vessels we operate have been approved by different oil companies and it is important to set high maintenance standards for each vessel, Ferreira.
The fleets technical off-hire totalled 110 days last year (100 days due to dry-dockings and major repairs plus 10 days due to technical failures and maintenance). Excluding the effect of the planned technical interventions and major repairs due to non-controllable causes, only 9% of the off-hire days were due to the breakdown or maintenance of main engines. The fleets resulting average off-hire of 1.2 days/tanker/ year is considered to be excellent and in line with that achieved the previous year.
Newbuilding expertise
In addition to its comprehensive operational management services, which include ship technical management, manning, quality assurance, purchasing, cost control and accounting, Marenostrum also undertakes newbuilding supervision.
As a ship manager, we have know-how that is of value during design and construction, and this provides us with experience and contacts which subsequently benefit the operator of the vessels, says Armando Ferreira.
Two new Aframax tankers are currently being built at the Sumitomo shipyards in Japan for the Soponata Group. These vessels will be added to the Marenostrum fleet later this year and increase the aggregate tonnage under the companys management to over 900,000 dwt.
Soponata recently purchased DNVs new Nauticus Construction Software, which uses the Nauticus 3D graphical model as a basis to support experts during the construction phase of a vessel (see article on page 28).
This tool for newbuilding management and reporting is highly appreciated by our site team at Sumitomo, says Fernando Metzner Alves, head of Soponatas shipbuilding division.
Marenostrum employs a staff of 16 widely experienced in the operation of tankers, bulk carriers, general cargo vessels and, more recently, chemical tankers. The company aims to develop into a medium-sized group with substantial in-house expertise.
Concludes Armando Ferreira, We like to give our principals a competitive edge, not only with on-the-spot advice and expertise, but also with quality services and solutions that protect them against a growing variety of risks.