A first for DNV and Thome Ship Management

2008-10-16

DNV has struck a groundbreaking agreement with Thome Ship Management that will set a new global benchmark in seafarer competency levels.

DNV today signed a contract with Thome Ship Management to verify and certify Thome’s competence management system in accordance with DNV standards, and in compliance with specifications from the Society of International Gas Tankers and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) and the Tanker Officer Training Standrads (TOTS).

The agreement means Singapore-based Thome becomes the first ship manager in Asia to set up a classification society-endorsed competence management system for its entire fleet, which currently consists of more than 100 vessels.

A signing ceremony officiated by DNV Maritime COO Tor Svensen and Thome’s President and Chief Executive Officer Olav Eek Thorstensen took place in Singapore this morning.

Under the terms of the agreement, DNV and Thome will systematically examine crew tasks, work tools, operating environment, officers’ mental well-being, training and experience, and communications across different vessel types.

Highlighting one of its key focus areas, DNV aims to address what lies behind human error on board highly diversified fleets of ships with the aid of its SeaSkill auditing process: The entire process is expected to take 12 months and the results will then be audited by DNV.

In announcing the agreement COO Tor Svensen said: ‘The desired outcome of an effective competence management system should be an efficient, knowledgeable, healthy and safety-conscious crew. Given today’s challenges with crew shortage and rising operational costs, Thome and other shipping companies investing in such an undertaking stand to gain a competitive advantage.’

Amit Ray, head of DNV SeaSkill Asia, has been instrumental in obtaining the contract and is responsible for the delivery towards Thome. He commented: ‘SeaSkill is DNV’s contribution to making the maritime industry look beyond compliance, when it comes to competence. The best companies, like Thome, are already looking beyond satisfying minimum requirements and focusing on competence as a strategic tool.’

Thome’s Managing Director Capt Bjorn Hojgaard, said: “The shortage of seafarers puts pressure on quality so it is increasingly important to be on top of the competencies in the pool. And by stretching our training dollar investment, it means we can provide more focused training where gaps have been identified.

‘This DNV initiative also means we are able to offer differentiation to our customers and transparency in terms of competencies deployed on vessels,’ he said.

DNV SeaSkill provides global standards, tests and certification services related to competence development in the maritime industry. The services are aimed at organisations and individuals connected to ship owners, management companies, yards, suppliers, maritime training centres and maritime authorities.

DNV