Wilhelmsen - Experts & Thought Leaders

Safety is the top priority in maritime operations. The Marine Safety Management System (SMS) is essential for ensuring safety and protecting the marine environment. An effective SMS relies on a well-documented framework that includes defining organisational structures, delegating responsibilities, and developing policies and procedures. This structured approach is critical for maintaining ship safety and protecting the marine environment. Maintaining ship safety The SMS is a vital component of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, detailing all the important policies, practices, and procedures to be followed to ensure the safe functioning of ships at sea. It ensures safe and secure operations by fulfilling various critical objectives, such as: Compliance with Regulations: SMS mandates adherence to all relevant regulations and guidelines. This approach raises safety standards across the maritime domain. Safety of Crew: The most significant aspect of SMS is safeguarding human lives. By implementing robust safety protocols and procedures, SMS endeavors to prevent human injury or loss of life at sea. Adopting preventive approach The primary objectives of SMS can be summarised as follows: Promoting a Culture of Safety: SMS strives to maintain a culture of safety where everyone shares responsibility for security. They aim to be security-conscious by adopting a preventive approach to ensure that safety is integrated into all business activities. This influence helps to cultivate a culture of safety in business relations. Risk Mitigation: SMS is a major player and significant in the risk management of the maritime industry. It helps to detect and mitigate risks at their early stages, assess their magnitude, and implement corrective measures to reduce or eliminate potential hazards. Accidents can be prevented by applying SMS, and maritime activities generally become safer. Continuous Improvement: SMS, a safety management system, is vital and ever-changing for any business. This encompasses evaluating how well security processes are performing to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest changes in a dynamic market. SMS is necessary for protection by utilising new laws, technologies, and updated procedures on best practices. Safety management system Safety Management System (SMS) are the backbone of maritime safety, protecting vessels and their crew. These systems consist of three fundamental functional components that work together to create a comprehensive safety framework: Safety Policy: A fundamental component of a Safety Management System (SMS). It serves as a guiding document that outlines the organisation's commitment to safety and provides clear guidelines for achieving safety objectives. The policy should establish clear safety procedures, set measurable safety goals, and ensure compliance with relevant maritime regulations. Safety Risk Management: Identifying potential dangers on a ship, assessing how serious they are, and taking steps to prevent them. This includes conducting regular checks, putting in place safety measures, and keeping the safety plan up-to-date to address new challenges. Safety Assurance: Checking to make sure that the safety systems and procedures on a ship are working properly. This includes regular inspections, ensuring that safety equipment is in good condition, and practicing emergency drills to prepare the crew for potential incidents. Strong safety record A well-structured Safety Management System (SMS) is a valuable asset for any maritime organisation. By implementing effective safety measures and procedures, SMS can deliver significant benefits below: Enhanced Safety: A well-implemented SMS can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents and incidents, and protecting the crew onboard. Improved Compliance: SMS helps organisations stay compliant with maritime regulations, avoiding fines and penalties. Reduced Costs: By preventing accidents and incidents, SMS can help reduce costs associated with repairs, lost revenue, and legal liabilities. Enhanced Reputation: A strong safety record can enhance an organisation's reputation in the maritime industry. Increased Efficiency: SMS can improve operational efficiency by identifying and addressing potential hazards before they lead to disruptions. Improved Morale: A safe working environment can boost employee morale and job satisfaction. Risk Mitigation: SMS helps organisations proactively identify and manage risks, minimising their impact.  Maintaining positive reputation Maritime regulations are designed to ensure the safety, security, and environmental protection of ships and their operations. By complying with these regulations, vessels can: Prevent accidents and incidents: Adherence to regulations often includes safety standards and procedures that help to prevent accidents and incidents at sea. Protect the environment: Maritime regulations often have provisions related to pollution prevention and environmental protection, such as regulations governing oil spills and waste disposal. Avoid fines and penalties: Non-compliance with maritime regulations can result in fines, penalties, and even legal action. Maintain a positive reputation: Compliance with regulations can help to maintain a positive reputation within the maritime industry and with regulatory authorities. Governing maritime safety Key maritime regulations that vessels must comply includes the below: International Safety Management (ISM) Code: The ISM Code provides a framework for safe ship management and regulatory compliance. International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS): This is the most fundamental convention governing maritime safety. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): This convention regulates pollution from ships, including oil, chemicals, and garbage. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW): This convention sets standards for the training and certification of seafarers.  Relevant maritime regulations A well-implemented SMS will ensure that a vessel is compliant with all relevant maritime regulations. This can be achieved through a combination of: Regular audits and inspections: To identify areas of non-compliance and take corrective action. Training and education: To ensure that crew members are aware of their obligations and responsibilities under maritime regulations. Documentation and record-keeping: To maintain records of compliance activities and demonstrate adherence to regulations. Making informed decisions The marine industry has adopted a Safety Management System (SMS) that connects different systems on a ship to improve safety and performance. SMS leverages advanced IT technologies and has significantly transformed ship management by providing operators with quick access to data. This, in turn, enables them to make informed decisions, promoting proactive safety management and effective risk mitigation. SMS implementation results in fewer accidents and increased work efficiency while adhering to regulatory requirements. The safety management system protects the crew and the marine. SMS usage demonstrates the marine industry's commitment to excellence and emphasises that meeting safety and efficiency targets is essential to the modern marine business.

Wilhelmsen Ships Service and Yinson GreenTech have signed an agreement to build a charging infrastructure for Hydromover, Singapore’s first fully electric cargo vessel, at Wilhelmsen's Pandan Loop facility in Singapore. This project aligns with ongoing efforts by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), aiming to promote the electrification of harbour craft as part of broader industry shifts towards lower-emission solutions. Lower-emission solutions Wilhelmsen Ships Service has also achieved a milestone by completing the first delivery of a customer order onboard the Hydromover during its commercial trials in September 2024. The cargo transfer was facilitated by OPL Services, Singapore's first harbour craft operator, to trial the Hydromover, which occurred from the jetty at Wilhelmsen's Pandan Loop facility to a receiving vessel on anchorage. Expressing optimism about the future, Wilhelmsen Ships Service plans to continue collaborating with Yinson GreenTech, a key player in providing sustainable technology solutions for the maritime industry.

REACH Subsea’s ground-breaking uncrewed surface vessel, REACH REMOTE 1, has received the Skipsrevven Ship of the Year 2024 award at the SMM exhibition in Hamburg. The 24-metre REACH REMOTE 1 is the first of a pair of uncrewed offshore surface vessels designed and delivered by Kongsberg Maritime to Norwegian company REACH SUBSEA ASA. REACH REMOTE USV design Crammed with state-of-the-art KONGSBERG technology, the vessels will initially carry out underwater survey duties off the coast of Haugesund in southern Norway, and with global interest in this disruptive approach to traditional duties, many more are set to follow. A key feature of the REACH REMOTE USV design is its ability to operate without a crew, controlled remotely. This approach offers significant advantages in terms of operating costs, safety, and emissions, when compared to carrying out the same duties with a much larger, crewed vessel. Range of technologies Kongsberg Maritime has taken on the role of prime contractor, with firm also liable for vessel design In a unique approach to delivery, Kongsberg Maritime has taken on the role of prime contractor, with the company also responsible for vessel design, REACH REMOTE is a true turnkey project. Packed with a range of technologies, this pioneering project has involved a range of companies including KONGSBERG, REACH Subsea, Trosvik Maritime AS, Massterly, DNV, Kystdesign and the Norwegian Maritime Authorities (NMA). REACH REMOTE vessels Lisa Edvardsen Haugan, President – Kongsberg Maritime, said, “We are extremely proud to have played such a pivotal role in this project and are absolutely delighted to have been recognised alongside our valued partners at REACH Subsea for the innovation and cutting-edge technology that makes the REACH REMOTE vessels such a gamechanger for our industry.” Speaking at the award ceremony, COO of Reach Subsea, Inge Grutle said: “We are very proud to be awarded the Ship of the Year award for our first uncrewed vessel, the Reach Remote 1, which we are confident will be the first in a series of many to support our ambition to give our clients sustainable access to the ocean space”. Reach Remote project Reach Subsea CEO, Jostein Alendal, said: “To revolutionise an industry, you need to innovate. To innovate you need people within the organisation and partners alongside you who can think big, think differently, and overcome the challenges that arise along the way. The Reach Remote project is a powerful testament to this, and I am immensely proud to see that what were once bold ideas are now coming to life.” “We are committed to seeing this through to full operation. Winning the Ship of the Year award is a tremendous boost and a great source of motivation for our teams. We look forward to continuing the great cooperation established with KONGSBERG and Massterly as we scale up Reach Remote vessels in the future.” UT 5208 USV vessels ROV will feature a robust robotic arm to enable simple underwater tasks, such as adjusting valves Reach Subsea’s Vice President of Reach Remote, Bjørg Mathisen Døving, added: “To be part of such a ground-breaking project has been a joyride and I have had the time of my life. I am so proud of the unstoppable efforts from the diverse teams, and I truly believe this project is a lighthouse for the industry”. The UT 5208 USV vessels are designed for uncrewed subsea operations. KONGSBERG is providing the handling equipment for the ROV, as well as hull-mounted sensors for survey work. The ROV will feature a robust robotic arm to enable simple underwater tasks, such as adjusting valves or moving debris. The vessels will be controlled from a remote operations centre where one captain will be able to control several vessels at the same time. REACH REMOTE fleet Massterly, which is a joint venture between Kongsberg Maritime and Wilhelmsen, will monitor and control the vessels from its Remote Operations Centre (ROC) in Horten, Norway. REACH Subsea has responsibility for all the client interfaces and its teams will operate ROVs from their Operations Centre. Initially, this will be based in Haugesund but this capability can be deployed globally through a network mobile, container-based Operations Centres, as the REACH REMOTE fleet expands. For the initial deployment, the vessels will be followed by a support vessel in the early stages of operation, before transitioning to remote and autonomous control.