A new charterer preference.

With the introduction of Tanker Management Self Assessment (TMSA) by OCIMF, owners can verify and demonstrate a positive development process themselves.

With the introduction of the TMSA and its Key Performance Indicators and Best Practices, the oil companies want to encourage ship operators to achieve high standards of ship management and continuous improvement. TMSA is streamlined with vetting, and several oil majors have already started to specify that all chartered vessels should have a TMSA rating.

TMSA is a supplement to the Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE), which is a database established by OCIMF. SIRE has been operational since 1993, and is intended to better ascertain whether vessels are well managed and maintained. It also draws focus to the tanker industry awareness on the importance of meeting satisfactory tanker quality and ship safety standards. More than 100,000 vetting reports have been submitted to SIRE.

Through TMSA, a total risk assessment approach is mandated, rather than a just a snapshot judgement of the ship’s condition.

DNV has already provided many shipowners support to help comply with the TMSA requirements. To support this, we have introduced the DNV Risk Model, which is based on the international Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) principles and DNV’s own Loss Causation model. This model serves as a continuous improvement tool for management systems, which is one of the major topics of the TMSA requirements.

Other relevant subjects raised in the TMSA are also supported by supplementary DNV services, which can help tanker operators to improve their processes and procedures.