One of the most significant safety initiatives introduced by OCIMF is the Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE). This programme was originally launched in 1993 to specifically address concerns about sub-standard shipping. The SIRE Programme is a unique tanker risk assessment tool of value to charterers, ship operators, terminal operators and government bodies concerned with ship safety.
The SIRE system is a very large database of up-to-date information about tankers and barges. Essentially, SIRE has focused tanker industry awareness on the importance of meeting satisfactory tanker quality and ship safety standards. Since its introduction, the SIRE Programme has received industry-wide acceptance and participation by both OCIMF Members, Programme recipients and by ship Operators. The expansion of Barges and small vessels into SIRE was inaugurated in late 2004.
Since its introduction, more than 180,000 inspection reports have been submitted to SIRE. Currently there are over 22,500 reports on over 8000 vessels for inspections that have been conducted in the last 12 months. On average Programme Recipients access the SIRE database at a rate of more than 8000 reports per month.
The SIRE programme requires a uniform inspection protocol that is predicated by the following:
- Vessel Inspection Questionnaire (VIQ)
- Barges Inspection Questionnaire (BIQ)
- Uniform SIRE Inspection Report
- Vessels Particulars Questionnaire (VPQ)
- Barge Particulars Questionnaire (BPQ)
These features have been established to make the program more uniform and user friendly and to provide a level of transparency unique in the marine transportation industry.
SIRE has established itself as a major source of technical and operational information to prospective charterers and other programme users. Its increasing use corresponds with oil industry efforts to better ascertain whether vessels are well managed and maintained. OCIMF is in no doubt that better informed vetting decisions are leading to improvements in the quality of ships, accelerating its continuing drive for safer ships and cleaner seas.
Inspection reports are maintained on the index for a period of 12 months from the date of receipt and are maintained on the database for 2 years. SIRE access is available, at a nominal cost, to OCIMF members, bulk oil terminal operators, port authorities, canal authorities, oil, power, industrial or oil trader companies which charter tankers/barges as a normal part of their business. It is also available, free of charge, to Governmental bodies which supervise safety and/or pollution prevention in respect of oil tankers/barges (e.g. port state control authorities, MOUs, etc). Applicants wishing to participate in the SIRE Programme are required to obtain formal applications and are asked to submit their request via email or fax. Please include your full style mailing address.
