Targeted improvements through ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001
Maran Tankers Management Inc. (the oil tanker management company owned by the Angelicoussis Shipping Group) has as its standing objective the operational excellence of the 34-ship strong tanker fleet. A key factor for achieving this is the work aimed at the continual improvement of the company’s Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental performance. At a recent ceremony at the Maran headquarters in Athens, DNV Maritime COO Tor Svensen handed over the ISO 14001 (renewal certification) and OHSAS 18001 certificates to Sokratis Dimakopoulos, HSQE manager of Maran Tankers Management Inc. Similar certification will also be implemented in the near future to cover the LNG/LPG vessels of Maran Gas Maritime Inc. (the Angelicoussis gas carrier management unit).
“Pushing forward and adopting a proactive approach to Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental matters is regarded as one of our key drivers for enhanced overall business performance,” said Dimakopoulos at the ceremony. “We have embraced an integrated management approach based on the requirements of both ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 and this methodology has worked very well. We feel that the structure, contents and direction of both management systems complement each other efficiently. The OHSAS 18001 requirements, in particular, have assisted us in enhancing onboard health and safety, further promoting the implementation of the risk assessment process during the daily activities on board as well as taking new initiatives to continuously improve the quality of the working and living conditions on board the managed fleet vessels (i.e. advanced medical care/equipment/telemedicine, installation of satellite TVs, Internet access, etc).”
“Overall safety at sea, the safety and wellbeing of the crew and the ever increasing need for environmental compliance and foresight are important success factors for the future. I would like to compliment Maran Tankers Management on its engagement and strong commitment to these important programmes for future success,” said Tor Svensen.
ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised Environmental Management System standard for environmental improvements and regulatory compliance. The increased awareness of sustainable development gives environmentally credible companies a competitive edge in national and international markets. Companies are increasingly required by authorities and customers to report on their environmental performance. The standard provides a clear management framework based on the well established management principles of “Plan-Do-Check-Act.” It requires an organisation to assess its operations’ impact on the environment, understand how those impacts can be managed, and set clear objectives and targets for continuous improvement.
OHSAS 18001 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management. It provides a framework for organisations to control their OH&S aspects, ensure legal compliance and continually improve performance. The OHSAS management system is now a legal requirement in many countries and it assists companies in investigating the health and safety risks related to their operations. Implementing the standard means that such risks are evaluated and controlled by setting clear objectives and targets in order to improve performance. The OHSAS 18001 standard has been designed to be compatible and harmonised with the other international management system standards, especially ISO 14001.
“We have selected DNV as the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification body for the entire fleet,” continued Sokratis Dimakopoulos. “We are pleased to conclude that DNV has fully met our expectations with an open-minded approach that has complemented our own management commitment and operational mode. We have already initiated work in relation to the corporate social responsibility (CSR) concept with a view to further emphasizing our approach to improved performance in all aspects of our operations,” concluded Dimakopoulos, as he pointed out the Maran vision statement:
“To be a leader in the shipping industry requires delivering the best services to our customers and ensuring the efficient transportation of oil while maintaining the highest applicable health, safety and environmental standards”.