Arribatec Marine at the Tankers Operators Forum: A Commitment to Safety
This week, Arribatec Marine had the pleasure of participating in the Tankers Operators Forum, held in Athens on July 1st and 2nd. The conference was a unique opportunity to engage with industry experts and peers, discuss current and future market challenges, and renew our collective commitment to promoting a culture of safety in the maritime sector.
Focus on Safety in the Tanker Sector
The forum’s central theme was Safety, a topic of crucial importance to our industry. Over the two days, various sponsors and participants shared experiences, best practices, and suggestions for improving safety on tanker ships. It became clear that, despite technological advancements, the sector can achieve higher levels of maturity through a sustainable digital transition. The awareness of this need is shared and evident among all. Often, safety is called into question due to the costs associated with the necessary investments. But facts confirm that if we decline the theme of safety to that of economic convenience, well, it is very apt to say that the necessary risks are “run”.
Human Error and Safety Culture
As sponsors, we had the opportunity to deliver a short speech, entitled “Do not learn safety by chance”. We addressed the topic of safety using real-life examples and tackled the concepts of “human error” and “safety culture.” We highlighted how human error is an inevitable yet manageable component through a robust safety culture company-wide, and IT can help in this regard. We introduced our software, Infoship, which includes a QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety, Environment) management module. This solution offers a comprehensive range of features designed to manage quality, safety, and risk, specifically to support fleet-wide learning, ensure compliance with international maritime regulations, and promote a “safety culture”.
Several critical points were raised during the forum discussions. It became evident that, in daily operations, it is challenging for shipping companies to maintain a consistent practical approach and structured information-sharing methodologies across their fleets. This is a significant issue, as the lack of standardisation can lead to inefficiencies and increased risks.
Digitalising the QHSE management processes can lead to a significant competitive advantage in the industry regarding company reputation and crew wellbeing. With Infoship, companies can support their crew in daily operations and drive management decisions, optimising processes, streamlining workflows, and reducing operational risks. The adoption of a web-based solution like Infoship responds to a clear and conscious need for transparency and responsibility, not only towards the bodies that legislate the market, stakeholders, and the environment but first and foremost towards the on-board staff who experience first-hand the unpredictability of the sea and the strength of fate.
Case Study from the daily life
During our presentation, we shared a case study illustrating the critical nature of safety management. In this incident, during gas freeing operations on an oil/chemical tanker, personnel neglected company SMS requirements, leading to the formation of lethal gas vapours and the tragic death of a crew member. This example highlights the necessity of adhering to established safety procedures and continuously fostering a strong safety culture.
Participating in the Tankers Operators Forum was an extremely enriching experience. We are proud to have had the opportunity to support this initiative. We will continue to work towards promoting a solid and sustainable safety culture, and we are confident that tools like Infoship can significantly contribute to this goal.
Thank you for following our report on the event!
