SAFETY INDICATIONS OF NAVIGATION AUDIT (BRIDGE CHECKLISTS) FOR TANKERS TO DEVELOP A VESSEL INSPECTION SCORE

Abstract

Significant amount of world trade has been made by maritime transportation. World maritime trade fleet reached 1.5 billion deadweight tons, world maritime trade volume was 9 billion tons and world maritime trade in terms of financial value reached 9 trillion dollars (Maritime Trade Statistics, 2015). In recent years there has been an increase in the quantity and tonnage of tanker type vessels, the requirement for well experienced and qualified personnel has arisen and it has become increasingly difficult to find experienced and qualified seaman to work on these types of vessels. At the same time, major oil companies (MOC), port states, classification societies and flag states intensified their inspections on tankers so that these types of vessels can operate safely. In spite of all this, the pressure of the desired inspections as well as the busy cargo operations for tankers are felt to be too much. In this study, details will be identified such as finding the root causes, identifying the risks, understanding the possible consequences and determining the working areas during the ship personnel’s, operators’, auditors’ and charterers’ working and selection periods. By this way, it will be offered a clearer choice to ship charterers (MOCs) that which ship is better for the company own interests.