Audit Services News

Richard Murphy has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of BPA Worldwide, a leading global assurance provider of media, technology, events, and sustainability compliance. He replaces Glenn Hansen, who has announced his intent to retire in June 2023. In the interim, Hansen has been named Executive Strategic Advisor to focus on BPA iCompli Sustainability and Event Audit practices.Murphy brings 30 years of experience with BPA to this position. He was formerly Executive Vice President…

ABS has added Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) Survey as remote choices.ABS is delivering IHM remote survey to support clients ahead of the December 31, 2020, introduction of mandatory IHM for all vessels sailing under an EU member states’ flag or any vessel calling at a European port.“In this challenging, time-pressured environment, ABS IHM remote survey is the simplest route to compliance without the inconvenience of arranging for a surveyor to be physically present on board,” said John McDonlad, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Business Development.An IHM initial survey for existing vessels verifies the location of the hazardous materials on board that are listed in the inventory.

As remote surveys increasingly become business as usual, classification society ABS says it is now able to conduct nearly all annual surveys remotely on eligible vessels, after moving to further expand its remote offerings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Launching 10 additional remote survey options today, ABS says it now offers a total of 28 surveys and audits able to be delivered remotely.“The industry is telling us they want our services delivered remotely, particularly in the current challenging environment…

Remote vessel and equipment surveys have been available in the maritime world for years, but classification societies are seeing increased demand for these services as more firms turn to digital solutions to continue business during the coronavirus outbreak.Using real-time video communication tools, and even drones and robotics when applicable, surveyors are able to work with stakeholders to perform inspections without having to be on site, which is especially beneficial amid current COVID-19 travel restrictions.ABS…

Classification society ABS said it is expanding its remote survey options for vessel owners and extending its remote survey and audit services for equipment and materials manufacturers and other service providers. The move comes as more firms turn to digital solutions to continue business amid the coronavirus outbreak.“As organizations rely more heavily on remote and virtual operations, ABS is making it easier for vessel owners and equipment manufacturers to leverage digital applications by offering even more remote surveys and audit options,” said Christopher J.

Alabama-based Tug and Barge Solutions (TBS) announced that more than 100 vessels now use  Ivy Marine's Towing Safety Management System and audit services, powered by Helm CONNECT software.Founded in 2012 by tug captain turned ISM/ISO auditor Pat Folan and towing vessel operators Steve Wilson and Patrick Boles, TBS has been helping towing vessel operators achieve compliance with the US Coast Guard (USCG), International Safety Management (ISM), Tanker Management and Self-Assessment (TMSA) and other standards for more than five years.Starting with operators on the US Gulf Coast and along the Intracoastal Waterway, TBS has steadily expanded to serve vessel operators throughout the US.

Global Maritime, a provider of marine warranty, dynamic positioning and engineering services to the offshore sector, has made two important hires to support its Asia Pacific (APAC) operations. Mei Ling Chan has been appointed as Regional Finance Manager for APAC where she will take responsibility for finance functions and reporting across the region; and Leong Weng Yoon has been named Global Maritime’s new HSEQ Manager for APAC. Leong Weng Yoon’s appointment reaffirms Global Maritime’s commitment to the highest health, safety, environmental and quality standards across its operations.

Management software: vendors, consultants, class strive to provide turnkey service. Unless you’ve been lost at sea for the last few years, you know about Subchapter M. You know the June publication of the U.S. Coast Guard’s regulations for ensuring minimum safety standards on tows and tugs, which will extend inspection requirements to the majority of these vessels for the first time, moved the long-awaited, and in some cases, dreaded program from the haze of eventually out into the cold light of day.

Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau (TVIB) has acquired Quality Auditing, LC, effective December 31, 2016. According to TVIB, the purchase strengthens its three-fold mission to provide training and continuing education for marine auditors and surveyors, develop audit and survey tools, and become a U.S. Coast Guard Third-Party Organization (TPO) under 46 CFR Subchapter M. Founded in 2009, Quality Auditing, LC is a full-service marine auditing firm specializing in providing third-party vendor audits and AWO Responsible Carrier Program audits, utilizing a network of auditors located throughout the inland waterways. The acquisition enables TVIB to expand its regulatory compliance service offerings for the industry as it prepares to conduct audits and surveys as a TPO.

Bibby Ship Management Group Ltd. announced the acquisition of Murray Fenton (India) Surveyors Limited. The acquisition was made via Bibby Ship Management India Pvt. Ltd., and will see India’s service offering expand into marine, cargo and offshore surveying including marine audit services. Operations will be based in Mumbai and Gujarat, with geographic expansion into other areas of India planned for the future. Bibby Ship Management welcomed Capt. Kapil Dev Bahl. With 17 years at sea, including five years in command, followed by 25 years in marine surveying and ship vetting, Capt.

Global freight bill processor, auditor and advisor Data2Logistics announce the launch of their Claims & Audit Review System (CARS), improving information flow for shipping clients. The system invigorates the company’s money-saving freight bill auditing ability with enhanced speed, resulting in faster audit cycles. CARS’ functionality optimizes the presentation and navigation of shipment data requiring auditor review, caches client freight bill data and distributes the information contiguously to Data2Logistics auditors. The result streamlines a potentially time-intensive portion of Data2Logistics’ audit services. The ability comes amid Data2Logistics’ further expansion of the company’s transportation cost-savings portfolio of freight bill auditing…

FMC Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FTI) announced that it has signed a subsea service contract with Petrobras (NYSE:PBR) (NYSE:PBRA) . The agreement is effective through 2012 and is expected to result in an additional $80m in revenue to FMC Technologies. FMC's scope of supply includes storage, maintenance, commissioning and offshore services for subsea and topside control systems and drill pipe riser systems. 10. International accountant and shipping consultant Moore Stephens has strengthened its shipping industry risk management services capability following a merger with AHL Business Assurance Limited, a specialist provider of governance, risk and internal audit services.

Health Systems International, a provider of outsourced medical cost management solutions to payors and health care provider networks for the maritime and other industries, acquired Asert Benefits Services, Inc. Asert is a privately-held leader in medical claim negotiation, bill review, and bill audit services.

Shipping accountant and business consultant Moore Stephens has appointed six new partners. One, Steve Durman, is an expert on employment issues and has advised a number of shipping companies on effective structuring of employment terms for seafarers and shore-based personnel. Steve Durman has specialised in employer support for fifteen years, after joining Moore Stephens from the DHSS. He has particular expertise in advising UK-based shipping companies on employment packages. In the last nine months Moore Stephens has added fifty fee earners to service its growing workload. Andrew Galli and Simon Gallagher (both Insurance Industry Group), Deborah Pearce (Enfield office), Tom Ward (Audit Services Group) and Paul Clark (UK Business Group) have also been appointed partners.