Driven by the ever-evolving landscape of the shipping industry, BSM continuously updates the training programmes offered by its Maritime Training Centres (MTC), ensuring they remain at the forefront of industry standards. One example for this dynamic is the MTC’s response to the challenges of the global pandemic resulting in the development of not only highly specialised but also flexible and DNV-approved SIRE 2.0-related courses.
Published on 18 Apr 2024
In 2023, the updated version of the Ship Inspection Report Programme, SIRE 2.0, was introduced. It places increased emphasis on human factors and crew training requirements mandating special training courses aligned with IMO model standards.
“This means that more crew members will be interviewed and assessed during an inspection,” says Capt. Gurpreet Singh Ahluwalia, BSM’s General Manager for Training and Development. “Ship operators have to review their training needs to ensure that their crews meet these new requirements and understand the importance of their role in the inspection process,” he continues.
Following the introduction of SIRE 2.0, BSM adapted and repackaged its seafarer training curriculum: “We developed a series of courses on oil, chemical, LPG and LNG cargo handling that is modelled on IMO standards,” Ahluwalia explains. “The courses provide seafarers with a comprehensive package combining multiple areas including inerting, cooling down, loading, discharging, warming up, gas freeing and last but not the least managing cargo during laden voyages.”
The technological progress spurred by the pandemic inspired BSM to redesign its approach to training overall. Today, most MTC courses are available online. As a result, the majority of the SIRE 2.0-related courses can be taken remotely, too, where only the instructor is located at one of BSM’s Maritime Training Centres that are strategically located in Cyprus, India, the Philippines and Poland.
The combination of online and onsite simulation courses at key maritime locations offers high flexibility . "The online availability of our cargo handling courses in particular facilitates the accessibility to a wider audience of seafarers from diverse backgrounds and locations,” Ahluwalia explains. “At the same time, it saves travel costs and emissions and reduces disruptions to vessel operations and availability.”
In addition, “all our oil, chemical, LPG and LNG cargo handling courses stand out as among the select few in the market to have received DNV approval,” underlines Ahluwalia. “We decided to take this extra step to ensure full compliance with IMO model course standards. ”
Following the completion of their courses, over 90% of seafarers said that they feel better prepared to anticipate various scenarios and articulate more effective responses by putting them into perspective. They developed more confidence in managing cargo handling safely and efficiently and going through an inspection in the future.
Until today, over 130 cargo handling simulator courses have been conducted with more than 8 00 seafarers trained. “The combination of flexibility, compliance and effective learning,” Ahluwalia is convinced, “has proved an interesting offering for our clients and partners – including ship owners and other ship managers - and continues to do so as we keep expanding our MTC training curriculum. Looking ahead, for example, we will broaden our offering on IGF courses.”
BSM’s SIRE 2.0-related courses, as mandated by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF)
BSM’s IGF courses, approved by Liberia and Cyprus administrations:
Captain Gurpreet Singh Ahluwalia
General Manager - Training and Development
ContactCaptain Gurpreet Singh Ahluwalia
General Manager - Training and Development
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