Oil Companies International Marine Forum

Adresse : 27 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9BU, UK, tel. 44+ 20 7658 1200, fax 44+ 20 7654 1205.
Site www.ocimf.com, courriel enquiries@ocimf.com.

Historique

The grounding of the Torrey Canyon in 1967 increased public awareness of marine pollution by oil. By the early 1970s, with environmental concerns at high levels, new anti-pollution initiatives were starting to emerge, nationally, regionally and internationally.
There was at that time an uncoordinated approach within the oil shipping industry, with decisions being taken in a number of international forums without any input from those who would be most affected by those decisions. It was clear that something needed to be done to ensure that the oil industry could play its part by making its expertise available and its views known to governmental and intergovernmental bodies.
The Oil Companies International Marine Forum was formed at a meeting in London in April 1970, was granted consultative status at IMO in 1977 and continues to present oil industry views at IMO meetings.
The role of OCIMF has broadened over the intervening period. Most recently the organisation has contributed to the EU discussion on tanker safety and the draft EU Directive on Environmental Liability, and has provided support to the EU and IMO debate on the accelerated phasing out of single-hull tankers and on the carriage of heavy grades of oil.
The Ship Inspection Report (SIRE) Programme is now the industry standard for vessel reports. OCIMF's Committee structure has adapted to reflect the worldwide distribution of member companies, enabling it to assist with a wide variety of regional and international issues.
Through all these evolutionary changes the over-riding goal has remained : to improve the safe and environmentally responsible operation of oil tankers and terminals.

Les objectifs de l'OCIMF sont les suivants :

• Standards : to identify safety and environmental issues facing the oil tanker and terminal industries, and develop and publish recommended standards that will serve as technical benchmarks.
• Regulatory : to contribute to the development of international conventions and regulations that enhance the safe construction and operation of oil tankers and terminals, working with the IMO and other regulatory bodies, both regional and national.
• Enforcement : to encourage flag States, port States and classification societies in their enforcement of international conventions and regulations.
• Promulgation : to facilitate access by charterers and authorities to data on tankers relating to safety and pollution prevention, through the Ship Inspection Report (SIRE) Programme.
• Consultation : to promote ratification and implementation of international compensation conventions.
• Promotion : to actively promote OCIMF's role in the development of safety and environmental guidelines and recommendations, harnessing the skills and experience of OCIMF members and holding industry events addressing the issues.