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Hong Kong based Univan Shipmanagement becomes
the latest organization to achieve certification from
class society ABS in order to meet the IMO’s International
Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code in preparation for
the July 2004 implementation date.
Univan Ship Management and its sister company Pacific
Marine, together manage a diverse fleet of over one
hundred vessels comprising tankers, bulk carriers, pure
car carriers, chemical tankers, container carriers,
general cargo vessels, reefers, supply vessels and woodchip
carriers.
“We are looking to ABS not only to help us meet
the ISPS Code requirements but also for harmonization
of ISM and ISPS as well as other management systems
certification,” said Univan’s Chairman Capt.
Charles A. Joseph Vanderperre. “As a pro-active
ship manager, we intend to ensure that our entire fleet
meets the ISPS Code requirements well ahead of the compliance
deadline,” he added.
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In the initial contract stage the first verification audit
took place this month on Univan’s ABS classed VLCC tanker
“C Dream”. The “C Dream” is the first
ABS audited vessel fitted with a Ship Security Alert System.
According to the ISPS Code requirements, all vessels to which
the code applies need to be fitted with a ship security alert
system capable of sending a covert alert to authorities ashore
in the event the vessel’s security has been breached
or threatened.
“We are seeing a surge of activity in the Asia Pacific
now” said Capt. Hemant Juneja, Division Head –
Safety, Environmental & Security Certification for ABS
Pacific. “There is a growing sense of urgency and an
increased awareness that maritime security is a real issue.
Vibrant ship managers are now aligning their safety &
security management systems.”
According to ABS Manager of Safety & Environmental Systems
Certification Patrick Fallwell there is a growing industry
trend of renewed interest in management systems in general
as heightened by the ISPS Code.
He explains that the ISM Code was the first step toward
addressing the human component of ship operations which has
become one of the cornerstones of the industry’s “safety
culture”. The underlying philosophy of the ISM and ISPS
Codes are similar and require the same audit approach so it
makes sense, where possible, to coordinate the two for a cost
effective and practical approach for clients.
Fallwell notes that Univan’s commitment to safety
and quality is evident citing Univan’s separate and
totally independent department which regularly carries out
safety inspections of vessels in its fleet. Univan safety
and quality staff are located in Mumbai and Hong Kong.
ABS was the first classification society to issue guidance
on meeting the ship security code and has distributed thousands
of the first edition of the ABS Guide for Ship Security in
response to industry demands. The second edition is now available
in print and in CD version. It can also be downloaded from
the ABS web site.
ABS is authorized as a RSO to perform verification audits
for compliance with the ISPS Code and to issue International
Ship Security Certificates on behalf of 29 flag Administrations.
It has applied to all leading flag Administrations worldwide
to act on their behalf.
Nearly 150 ABS auditors have been trained to assist shipowners
with meeting both IMO requirements and, when required, the
additional security-related standards required for awarding
the optional ABS class notation for security (ABS SEC). ABS’
Safety & Environmental Systems Certification (SESC) Department
has regional managers and a worldwide workforce of auditors
prepared to meet certification needs.
It is estimated that the Code requirements and required ISSC
certificate apply to approximately 43,000 ships and mobile
offshore drilling units.
Founded in 1862, ABS is a leading international classification
society devoted to promoting the security of life, property
and the marine environment through the development and verification
of standards for the design, construction and operational
maintenance of marine-related facilities.
For more information on the ISPS Code and Ship Security,
visit the ABS website at: http://www.eagle.org/prodserv/shipsecurity/
. An overview of the regulations, sample ship security
plan and the ABS Guide for Ship Security are available.
Learn more about ABS’ ISM/SQE certification, visit
the ABS website at:
http://www.eagle.org/prodserv/sesc/
For more information, contact:
Susan Gonzalez,
ABS
1-281-877-5853
or sgonzalez@eagle.org
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