OCIMF (Oil Companies International Marine Forum) introduced in 1993 an inspection report platform that ensure Oil companies operate under a safe and environmentally sensitive philosophy. Information of such inspection reports is a unique Tanker Risk Assessment tool which is of great value to Charterers, Ship Operators, Terminal Operators and Government bodies concerned with ship safety. 

SIRE vetting inspectors are required to report on vessels or operational deficiencies, to detail both positive and negative comments on the vessel’s operation, always according to International Guidelines, Codes and Conventions with various Regulations, Procedures and Standards appropriate with the type of vessel being inspected and also according to SOLAS,ISM,ISGOTT,STCW,ICS,OCIMF.

We have accredited SIRE inspectors with years of experience conducting vetting inspections for Oil Majors. Among our clients in these years of experience, have been Shell, Chevron, BP, ExxonMobil, Koch, Motor Oil and lately Lukoil.

KS Marine inspectors are working within the range of Greece, Europe, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, Turkey & Middle East.

Our reputation is reflected through our integrity and loyalty for many years within the shipping industry.

KS Marine has preserved a flawless co-operation with specialist ship vetting company RightShip, on behalf of which, we were conducting vessel inspections for years.

Our in-house staff and inspectors that conduct the vessel inspections, make the assessments under the requirements of vetting process of Rightship but also they are based on latest practices of the shipping industry.

It is true, that Bunker Surveys have been a serious “headache” among Ship Operators and Oil Suppliers.

Here in KS Marine, we have a realistic view of the market and how it works, as our staff and surveyors, former Mariners, have experienced Surveys and problems of their profession. We acknowledge by first hand that in many cases  vessels’ crews declare and brag about how easily they can deceive a surveyor and subsequently sell fuel in many regions of the world at the cost of operators and to their personal benefit. In addition, we acknowledge that a surveyor has only a few hours in the port to inspect and reveal a problem in a bunkering process, while the crew prepares for the survey during all of their sea passage.

On the other hand, we cannot close our eyes to incidents reported of suppliers that can act viciously against operators, playing with the difference in quantities they deliver and through a bunkering survey can cause damage at high cost to operators with claims and disputes that in some cases are not at the fault, neither to control of operators.

From every aspect, our surveyors can trespass this kind of difficulties only using in our methods our most significant weapon. Our values of integrity, reliability and consciousness not only during a bunkering survey but also providing the party concerned with consulting advice, processes that can be followed and/or added in company’s quality system that can work-out as self-control assessments. Training of the staff evolved, is also a requisite within a shipping company or a supplier regarding all quality processes that help in preventing costs against party’s interests, as well as human resources management processes would also be a preventive weapon against unwanted incidents.

It is more than clear, that our philosophy is based on preventing than curing a situation.

• Supported by Master Mariners with tanker experience we can conduct Quality checks for Density, Viscosity, Water content and can be conducted on the spot prior to bunkering operations.
  
• Our team is also enhanced by former Chief Engineers that can perform loss investigations. For us, specialization is a requisite and in this sensitive section we prefer rank-oriented surveyors.
• We offer combination of On/Off Hire condition Surveys with ROB Surveys for more accurate results. Reports are given in detail with remarks.

Quantity measurement of oil bunkers is carried out with accuracy and we provide complete documentation also for pre-delivery tanks measurement of bunker tanker as well as for the vessel that receives fuel. Quantities are compared with Bunker Delivery Notes and in addition, a surveillance in cargo tanks of the barge is taking place before and after bunkering process.

Quantity Measurements can also be combined with On/Off Hire Bunkers & Condition Surveys to ensure high standards of accuracy in smooth delivery/redelivery of the vessel to charterers/operators, avoiding claims and disputes.

In recent years, thorough accident/incident investigation and analysis has become more and more the focus in the shipping business with the objective to avoid the loss of human life, and damage to property and the environment.

Our inspectors ensure proper safety-focused investigation systems, investigate very serious marine casualties and decide on the investigation of others, as well as to send commonly structured investigation reports to the parties concerned.

Our consulting team provides with personalized service any party concerned. We recommend procedures that will enhance Safety Management System and immunize the company towards incidents and marine accidents.
In case of an incident we will also provide with the relevant correspondence of below listed parties:

•  P&I Clubs
  
•  Underwriters
  
•  Marine Law Firms
  
•  Loss Adjusters
  
•  Ship Operators
  

This service includes inspections of oil/chemical tankers to assess condition, onboard safety and environmental management and seaworthiness to load hazardous cargoes. We provide with consultancy on technical issues related to the safe carriage of chemicals and hazardous cargoes. 

We also attend pre-loading surveys to ensure cargo tanks and cargo pumping systems are clean so as for the vessel commence loading operation. We remain onboard throughout the operation to ensure that the cargo is loaded/discharged safely, and in-accordance with regulations always keeping on safe side the interests of parties concerned.

We provide inspection for project cargoes, heavy lifts and high value shipments to any party interested. We ensure that safe transportation is provided, through a thorough review of ship stability data, and monitoring each procedure related to loading/unloading processes followed. 

Due to our long experience of inspections all these years we can run projects on preventing high risks for a charterer or for a ship operating company

Our philosophy of preventing than curing can be circumstantially evidenced by our focusing on training practices that can be easily absorbed.

We emphasize in the need of a familiarized staff with all the International Standards & regulations, and it is our suggestion for enhancing a ship’s operating company’s environmental awareness in safety and quality measures and procedures.  

A familiarized staff and the loyalty in following certain procedures according to the nature of vessels operating, can reduce shipping operators from high costs of maintenance and ensure both quality of service and the minimum of risks.

Through examples of daily practices in the shipping industry, we have achieved to organize training seminars in short term duration, both in house and on board, personalized to each party concerned. 

Our consultants are accredited by OCIMF for inspecting oil, chemical and gas tankers and bulk carriers, and are all experienced master mariners and marine engineers. 

Gap analysis begins by asking yourself two basic questions: Where are you now? Where do you want to be?  

In the shipping industry it is more than imperative for a ship operating entity to study from time to time its current situation and determine how it performs at a certain period. Taking under consideration its objectives and goals it will be more than clear how near or far to/from these goals the entity is.  

Comprehending the need of shipping industry to schedule -even in short term period – in a very obscure global economic scenery, we have managed to use Gap analysis tools in such a manner that can give an accurate view of a company, and how it responds towards the highest safety and quality standards that can be achieved.  

A detailed profile of procedures followed according to objectives posed in each company, we suggest personalized techniques, so that each party concerned can be aware of the state that it operates and prevent deviations from certain company goals.  

The results of such a study can help a shipping company to develop or enhance its services and finally increase its profits, without the need of investing money and time at very uncertain periods of the global economic crisis. In addition, acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses we can help any party concerned to develop all potential strategic paths that can lead to corrective actions and enhancing of quality standards and thus, sustainability in various fluctuations of effectiveness.