Evaluating Safety Control Criteria in Maritime Traffic using Formal Safety Assessment (Case Study: Iranian Port; Bushehr)

Abstract

The maritime safety improvement and the reduction of the loss of the life, property and environmental pollution are critical for maintain the role of ports in the national economy, reducing investment risks in the maritime and shipping industry and reaching sustainable development of the marine economy. This study aims at to provide a systematic approach towards the Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) of maritime traffic, in which four phase procedures, is proposed.

The first step in FSA model (Hazard Identification) is to utilize the Delphi method to obtain the main vessel traffic risk factors in Bushehr port by considering four main criteria, notably ‘vessels’, ‘traffic’, ‘navigation’ and ‘anchorage & waterway conditions’. The second step of FSA model (Risk Analysis) comprises risk index values of operational hazards and identification of high risk areas need to be addressed. The third step of FSA model the Risk Control Options (RCOs) comprises a range of RCOs which are assessed for their effectiveness in reducing the risks involved. The fourth step of FSA model (Recommendations for Decision-Making) comprises feedback information to review the results generated in the previous steps.

Subsequently five control options ‘ enforce existing rules / policies’, ‘improve a vessel traffic service’, ‘improve the ability to communicate bridge to bridge or ship to shore’, ‘establish / refine rules, regulations, policies or procedures’, ‘waterway changes’ are prioritized and recommended to improve the safety of maritime traffic management.