BV Pushes Tanker Safety Initiatives

Bureau Veritas (BV) is to work within IACS to develop tanker safety initiatives proposed by OCIMF and Intertanko. OCIMF and Intertanko have held a series of individual meetings with leading classification societies ABS, BV, DNV and LR to discuss industry proposals for improved transparency, better conduct of surveys, enhanced investigation of casualties and enhanced inter-class co-operation. BV supports these initiatives and has undertaken to help develop them within IACS. "BV is pleased to work closely with our industry partners to help make tanker shipping safer, cleaner and more transparent," says Bernard Anne, head of BV's marine division. "We agree with the principle of OCIMF's and Intertanko's proposals, and we will do all we can to get those proposals implemented across all IACS societies. BV's philosophy is very clear. We believe that shipping can only get safer and cleaner if all parties follow a co-operative approach. The leading class societies should do just that, lead from the front, and help others to improve. One big class society improving its performance at the expense of pushing out others will not help shipping overall. Putting the technical resources and strength of the major societies behind efforts to improve across the board will raise standards globally. That is what we are committed to working for."