New vetting module for tanker operators

Responding to client requests voiced at its annual User Conference, ABS Nautical Systems will begin industry beta-testing of a new tanker vetting module by the end of this year with the expectation that it will be available to industry in 2008. The module is being developed with input and guidance from Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG), an existing ABS Nautical Systems client and one of the more prominent tanker operators in the world.
This is believed to be the first module of a comprehensive, fully integrated fleet management software system that will have been developed in concert with industry that specifically addresses the vetting function to which all tanker and tanker operators are subject.
“This is one of the principal benefits of our annual Users’ Conference” said ABS Nautical Systems President Jack Kitchura. “It provides a forum where all of our clients can come together and discuss practical ways that the NS 5 system can be improved and identify new modules that they would like to have developed to help them operate more efficiently.”
Speaking at the User Conference, held last week in Charleston S.C. and attended by more than 160 client representatives from around the world, Chris Flanagan, OSG Vice President, said “One of OSG’s key operating concerns is the tanker vetting process. It requires a software solution that recognizes that one size does not fit all. The NS 5 approach gives the needed flexibility to companies to customize their fields.”
According to ABS Nautical Systems Vice President of Operations, Gerry Nielsen, the new vetting module is being developed to help tanker operators improve the timeliness and accuracy of their responses to observations that are made during a vetting inspection as well as support improved use of data to encourage better preparation in advance of future vettings.
“One of the key advantages of the NS 5 system,” says Nielsen, “is the complete integration of the database that resides behind all the modules that an owner uses. That means data only has to be entered once, yet it can be accessed by all the different modules. Since most of our users already have our Maintenance and Repair, our Inventory, our Crew Management and ISM modules installed, the super-imposition of a vetting module that is tailored to specifically harvest all the information that relates to a vetting inspection greatly enhances the overall functionality of the system for every tanker operator.”
The new software is being developed with sufficient flexibility that it will load protocol for a number of different vetting processes, including the OCIMF SIRE standards and the CDI (chemical ship) standards. Users at the conference made several additional suggestions that would expand the modules applicability to other audit and inspection routines, including future use by bulk carrier operators. The system will also link with the newly released NS 5 Root Cause Analysis module so that owners will be able to more easily investigate underlying causes of any problems that may be identified by the vetting process.
The module also will create a library of previous responses to vetting observations. The concept received enthusiastic support from the other users attending the conference, many of whom participated in the round table workshop devoted to the topic.

Source:Transportweekly