Shell shake-up on US Gulf safety
When the instruction came from Shell HQ in the Hague that all contractors working for Shell worldwide had to develop safety cases, the industry reaction in the Gulf of Mexico was less than enthusiastic. But now that all this is in place, even the contractors say that a few months work gave them a head start equivalent to many years of gradual improvement.
CREATING VALUE
According to Iain Light, a successful Det Norske Veritas of the future will need a broader strategy, especially in its consulting activities, because tomorrow’s customers will expect less-costly, higher-value and broader-range products, as well as a higher level of service.
Waiting game for US floater players
Floating, production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) can now operate in the Gulf of Mexico. But why is nobody filing for the first permission? Regional director Chris Oynes of the US Minerals Management Services explains the conditions for the use of FPSOs.
Fighting the Longford fires
Following the Longford gas plant explosion in 1998, the state of Victoria in Australia has mandated a safety case regulatory regime for all major hazard facilities. Complying with the requirements has proved to be a rewarding but also a challenging and time-consuming process, and the deadline for completion is fast approaching.
DNV verifies the Leadon FPSO
The Leadon development solution was chosen, the field developed and first oil produced in just under 20 months from proving the field commercial.
Greek shipping at a crossroads
Greek shipowners’ leader John Lyras believes his country needs to throw off its structural rigidities if it is to avoid the danger of ‘dehellenisation’ of the country’s most important industry.
The art of tanker trading
Drawing on his skills as an investment banker, and long experience in the sale and purchase of vessels, Peter Georgiopoulos has founded and managed the General Maritime Corporation with remarkable success. In this exclusive interview with DNV Forum he reveals how his different approach to shipping has made him and the investors a fortune in the quality tanker market.
Class acts on bulker safety
Strict new measures have been unveiled by the International Association of Classification Societies to raise bulk-carrier safety standards.
Adma-Opco cleans up in oil sector
In today’s global economy a growing number of companies are implementing environmental policies and programmes in order to maintain their competitive advantage. One such company is Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma-Opco), which recently had its environmental performance assessed by DNV.
Environmental care is good business
Much has happened over the past 30 years on the industrial scene in Bahrain – and nowhere is this more evident than at Aluminium Bahrain (Alba). The company was the country’s first non-oil industry venture, and its success in diversifying the economy helped to establish a blueprint for others to follow.
Quality pays dividends for Asry
Bahrain’s Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard displays a responsible approach to its ship repair and conversion work. Quality and environmental control rank high among the yard’s priorities.
Protecting a natural wonder
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest collection of living organisms on the planet, forming a 2,900 km-long coral reef off the north-eastern coast of Australia. It is a unique ecosystem populated with a myriad of different species. Safe operation of ships in this vulnerable environment is the responsibility of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
A greener choice for Australia
The Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) recently implemented the innovative ‘Greenhouse Friendly’ programme, in which all greenhouse gas emissions from certified consumer goods and services are offset. BP’s Ultimate 98 petrol is the first product to be certified under the programme, providing it with a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Building trust in e-business
E-commerce is here to stay. But when buying from someone you cannot see, questions arise: who am I buying from and can they deliver? Indiatimes.com is building consumer confidence in its on-line shopping mall with the help of DNV Certification, and its EBtrust mark.
No quick fix for substandard shipping
Can quality shipping lead reforms? John Lyras, president of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) is blunt in his assessment of the situation: ‘Quality shipping has a future, but the focus should be on all fronts, not just the owners and their ships.’