Pratik Bijlani –
On June 20th, The Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI) convened its monthly lecture meeting in its office in Mumbai. The meeting focused on the implementation and operation of SIRE 2.0, a significant improvement to the Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE). Capt Debashis Basu, Founder of Naviguide Solutions and a distinguished CMMI member, gave an informative talk titled Operationalizing SIRE 2.0: Implementing the New Regime.
The event was attended by industry veterans such as Capt Vivek K. Bhandarkar, Secretary of CMMI, Capt Sasikumar Swaminathan, CEO of CMMI, and other key figures from CMMI and the maritime fraternity.
SIRE, an effort initiated by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) in 1993, has played a critical role in improving the safety and quality of ships delivering oil, chemicals, and gas. It functions as a risk assessment tool, delivering standardised inspection reports on vessels that are critical for charterers, port authorities, and terminal operators in determining a vessel’s fitness for their operations. Over the years, SIRE has created over 180,000 inspection reports, making a substantial contribution to the maritime industry’s safety record.
The risk profile of the maritime industry changes as it evolves. This progress needs increasingly complex risk assessment and management technologies. Recognising this requirement, OCIMF has opted to enhance SIRE to assure its sustained efficacy in current and future maritime settings. OCIMF is working with the industry to create SIRE 2.0, an improved, risk-based vessel inspection programme that will replace the current SIRE programme. The new regime intends to produce more precise reports on the quality of a vessel and its crew, so providing a better indicator of future performance.
SIRE 2.0 is a game changer in the vessel inspection programme, incorporating numerous new aspects into the inspection process. These include an emphasis on human aspects, considerable risks for preventing or mitigating major incidents onboard, and increased confidence and trust in SIRE through information provided by operators and inspectors. SIRE 2.0 also aims to align with the Tanker Management and Self-Assessment (TMSA) programme, incorporate frequent regulatory changes, use technology to transition from paper-based to digital inspections, and align with OCIMF’s vision and strategy of causing no harm to people, the environment, or ships.
SIRE’s key characteristics include standardised inspections conducted by accredited inspectors who adhere to uniform criteria, assuring report uniformity and reliability. The programme maintains a complete database of inspection reports that users may access, allowing them to make informed vessel chartering decisions. The inspections focus on essential aspects of the vessel’s condition, safety management systems, crew qualifications, and environmental protection measures.
SIRE 2.0 incorporates substantial enhancements, including technology breakthroughs and comments from industry stakeholders, to improve the inspection process. The new platform uses innovative digital technology to streamline inspections, allowing for faster data entry, processing, and retrieval. Real-time data gathering and analysis offer users with current information on vessel conditions and performance indicators. Improved inspection criteria reflect current industry norms and regulatory needs. The new programme takes a risk-based approach, focusing on the areas with the greatest danger to safety and environmental protection. Enhanced reporting capabilities provide powerful tools for creating customised reports and doing in-depth analyses of inspection data. Improved inspector training and certification programmes guarantee that inspections are conducted with greater skill and consistency. A more user-friendly design makes it easier for stakeholders to traverse the system and acquire relevant information.
Capt Debashis Basu emphasised the need of enabling junior crew members to ensure the success of SIRE 2.0. “Unless we find a way to empower our juniors, essentially even the bosuns and the fitters, the 2nd officers and 3rd officers, unless we find a way to empower them, SIRE is not going to work,” he said at the time.
SIRE 2.0 provides enhanced openness, better decision-making, higher safety standards, and operational efficiency. Enhanced reporting and real-time data increase transparency into vessel status and performance. More complete and accurate inspection reports allow stakeholders to make more informed decisions about vessel charters. The improved inspection criteria and risk-based approach help to raise safety and environmental protection requirements. Streamlined processes and a user-friendly interface lessen administrative hassles while increasing overall efficiency.
SIRE 2.0 is ready to transform the vessel inspection regime, harmonising with the OCIMF’s aim of “no harm to people, the environment, or ships.” The modifications and new features demonstrate the maritime industry’s dedication to safety, environmental preservation, and operational excellence.
The CMMI lecture meeting provided significant insights into the introduction and operation of this enhanced programme, highlighting the importance of empowering junior crew members to ensure its success.
Marex Media