The shipping industry is under the spotlight again. When the stricken tanker Prestige sank off the coast of Spain, the world was threatened with another major pollution disaster.
The automotive industry is in agreement: the quality standards QS 9000 and VDA 6.2 are history – at least they will be by the end of 2004 when they are replaced by ISO/TS 16949. Carmaker Opel and two of its suppliers in Germany – Infineon and Takata-Petri – put the case for the new standard.
Torp airport is the first in Norway to be certified to ISO 14001. ‘To the aviation industry in Norway, this may serve as a signal for take-off,’ says Norwegian Environment Minister Børge Brende. He firmly believes that environmental improvement is an economic and competitive opportunity, and that ISO 14001 can be an important element in business survival.
The Port of Houston is the first port in the United States certified according to the environmental standard ISO 14001. Other ports are expected to follow as focus sharpens on green transportation.
As part of its commitment to becoming ‘the first-choice provider in the oil transportation industry’, Teekay Shipping is continuously strengthening its best practices.
Like many other industries, shipping too must face up to the realities of global terrorism. The International Maritime Organisation, the maritime agency of the United Nations, has worked fast to develop a new international code for the security of ports and ships.
As the web-based project MariNet enters its final phase, partners and suppliers agree that it is setting the agenda for the maritime industry – using Internet and satellite communication technology together with tailored web solutions. Partner Wilh. Wilhelmsen sees its future in this new scenario.
Since privatisation of Britain’s railways in 1994, Safety Case regulations evolved alongside the privatisation process. Rod Reid, head of Interface Risk Compliance in infrastructure owner Network Rail, explains why he views these changes as a positive way forward to align the interests of Network Rail and the operating companies when addressing the challenges facing Britain’s rail industry.
Carrying this year an estimated 90 million tonnes of freight and around 185 million passengers, Austria’s federal railways (Österreichische Bundesbahnen – ÖBB) are actively pursuing a policy of quality, safety and efficiency. DNV’s role in management consultancy for ÖBB is growing year-by-year.
One of the core Business Units of the Austrian Railways, the Infrastructure Operator is responsible for the operation of track, signalling system and structures throughout the rail network. Quality Manager of the business unit is Michael Johrendt; Operations Manager is Ernst Gunsam. We met in their Vienna headquarters in late October.
Norwegian gas transporter Gassco operates the world’s largest integrated, offshore gas transport network, supplying energy to 25 million European households. Reliability is vital in a market under continuous change.
Natural gas consumption rises
The attack on the VLCC Limburg (which, let us not forget, cost the life of one of her crew) has sent shudders through the shipping industry, which has no illusions about its vulnerability to terrorist attack. It needs practical and useful help, fast.