OCIMF wins Seatrade IT award http://www.seatrade-global.com At the Seatrade Awards ceremony in May, the award winner in category new IT applications for the shipping industry was the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) SIRE (Ship inspection and reports) WebSERM online database for ship reports. Before inspecting a vessel, inspectors can download the ship's Vessel Particulars Questionnaire (VPQ) from WebSERM, so they have information about it at their fingertips. The Vessel Inspection Questionnaire (VIQ), completed by the external inspector (rather than the shipping company) can be uploaded to WebSERM after the inspection, so that other oil companies in OCIMF and authorised regulatory authorities can access it. On the shortlist for the IT award was the Globe Wireless GlobeAlert system, which enables shipowners to comply with their ISPS requirements using the Globe Wireless radio network, no additional communications equipment needed. Another shortlist was the Indian Register of Shipping for its Ship_Mate software to be used onboard the vessel or on shore. It enables staff to have a better understanding of the limitations, capabilities and areas of concern of the ship, based on the current condition of its hull and machinery. They can perform strength and stability calculations onboard, view corrosion levels and other activities. The information is readily available for any visiting inspectors. Also on the shortlist was the Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) for its MARINET system, for communications with the maritime community. Shipping companies and agents can use the system to submit statutory declarations, request for port services, obtain approvals, apply permits, obtain critical business information and access other (non-MPA) service providers. SUBHEAD Safety at Sea In the Safety at Sea category, the winner was the Singapore Maritime and Port Authority, for its system to enable the Authority, the shipping company and shipmasters to plan the ship's route through the port in advance, saving time when the pilot boards the vessel. Following introduction of the system the number of piloted incidents fell from 0.14 per 1000 movements in 1999 to 0.05 per 1000 movements in 2003. A runner up was Martek Marine which has a system to detect water ingress on bulk carriers. It claims that its system was the first type approved product on the market and the only which carries a lifetime corrosion warranty. It fits directly onto standard pipe fittings and can be installed without taking the vessel out of service. Another runner up was the UK Hydrographic Office digital list of lights, which replaces 11 bulky books onboard and can be updated automatically. A further runner up was MAN B&W for its splash oil monitoring system which detects possible component breakdowns about to happen by examining the temperature of lube oil and detecting temperature changes. SUBHEAD Innovation in ship operations The Innovation in Ship Operations award was won by the Nautical Institute's human element awareness campaign. A runner up was ABB Oy Marine and Turbocharging, for its CRP Azipod Propulsion system, which has two propellers rotating in opposite directions, one in front of the other. The propellers have two separate power supplies, so there is redundancy if there is a problem with one power supply. The system uses less fuel than a single propeller, ABB says, and the ship has improved manoeuvring capacity. The other runner up was Marine IT Company, for its electronic logbook.