Call for an international association of OSV operators

The idea was put forward from the audience at the offshore oil and gas conference session on the show’s third day. A representative from the marine department of a significant local oil major shared his experience of dealing with local owners and operators. A significant number of shipowners he works with were asking that they not implement an OVID (Offshore Vessel Inspection Database) requirement, a measure that he views as a necessary measure in moving the industry forwards.

The delegate, with an employment history mostly in the tanker sector, hailed the independent tanker owner association’s (Intertanko) recent successes in international fora, its ability to adapt to changes in the industry, its history of accurately representing its member’s interests and the authority and respect it has in the global regulatory space.

While not a silver bullet, it was suggested that the formation of an OSV equivalent of Intertanko would be beneficial to local and international owners, offering a united response to OCIMF, and representing the OSV sector’s interests in international maritime discussions.

The panel accepted that consensus among competitors would not be easy to come by, but the list of industry challenges that could benefit from united representation was clear.