VETTING performance

VETTING performance has continued to strengthen throughout 2012. The average number of observations per inspection has reduced from 6.5 at this time last year to 5.05. 

The rejection ratio has also improved, with a greater number of vessels being accepted for business after inspection by the oil majors. However, the number of high risk findings per inspection has increased for the first quarter since Q1/2011.

The number of inspections has reduced year-to-year from 700 to 651 despite the tanker fleet expanding. This suggests that the majority of vessels are undergoing the optimum two to three inspections per year – which also reflects good performance, as poor results inevitably lead to additional inspections in an attempt to bury bad news.

2013 promises to be a challenging year. Dropping below five observation/inspections would be a notable achievement given the size and diversity of our managed fleet. Last year’s performance cast a doubt over this aspiration.

While we improved our performance in 11 out of the 13 VIQ chapters, finding two and 12 increased.

Chapter two is a result of an increase in the number of Conditions of Class and Chapter 12 point to a general deterioration in the cosmetic condition of some of our vessels. This is likely a reflection of reduced investment in the maintenance of vessels as a consequence of poor market conditions. We must manage these budgetary realities efficiently before they start negatively impacting on the other chapters.

2012 was a good year, but it is important that we repeat this success in 2013, enabling the business to continue to grow and be successful. 

THE V.SHIPS PARIS MANAGED FORBIN (SMALL TANKER), HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN AN INTENSIVE TRADING SCHEDULE IN NORTH WEST EUROPE. IN 2012 THE LPG CARRIER COMPLETED 67 PORT CALLS, WITH EXTENSIVE COASTAL NAVIGATION IN CONGESTED WATERS BETWEEN EACH PORT. DESPITE THIS VERY BUSY RUN, AND ENCOUNTERS WITH HEAVY WEATHER DURING THE WINTER PONTHS, THE VESSEL’S CREW MANAGED TO PASS THREE OIL MAJOR SIRE INSPECTIONS WITHOUT SUSTAINING A SINGLE OBSERVATION. THE VESSEL IS MANNED BY A FULL ROMANIAN CREW. THIS EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IS TESTAMENT TO THEIR HARD WORK AND PROFESSIONALISM. WELL DONE TO THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS VESSEL. KEEP IT UP¡