AWP Web Blog

Six crew members of a Liberian-flagged tanker held hostage for more than a month by pirates in West Africa have been freed.

Nigeria has released the long-imprisoned crew of the VLCC Heroic Idun, who were accused of attempting to lift oil from an offshore platform and held without bail since last year.

Effective 30 June 2023 RISQ 3.0 will be implemented for inspections following response to industry comments, and in accordance with the most recent industry recommendations and regulations.

Timetable for withdrawal of Standard Nautical Charts and Thematic Charts to be extended beyond 2026 in response to user feedback

ICS published the annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table, highlighting a 25% increase in flag states reporting on seafarer labour standards compared to last year

The Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board lashes out at the safety measures installed on a Norden tanker, on which two technicians suffered fatal accidents during a routine inspection. The case has been handed over to the Danish Maritime Authority.

OCIMF has developed a series of short training videos as part of its commitment to provide ongoing support for inspectors, officers, crew, vetters and operators, during the transition to SIRE 2.0.

The SIRE 2.0 Question Library and Supporting Documentation has been updated giving specific guidance for SIRE Programme Participants and Inspectors. All users of the programme are strongly encouraged to take the time to review the documentation in full and follow the necessary Management of Change (MOC) actions detailed within.

Key features of the new edition:

- Increased guidance on non-navigational procedures;
- New sections on the human element, Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) safety settings, category zone of confidence (CATZOC), weather routeing, communications with the engine control room, cargo operations, risk assessments and permits to work, ship stability, ballast water management, errors associated with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and characteristics of radar;
- More visual aids to improve understanding and support on board training; and
- Simplified language to reflect current best practice in writing guidelines and checklists.

While currently in development, the new vessel inspection regime, SIRE 2.0, will more accurately report on the quality of a vessel and its crew (on an ongoing basis) and indicate future likely performance, using enhanced tools, strengthened governance processes and more in-depth reporting outcomes, following a risk-based approach.