The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) has published its annual report for 2025, highlighting the launch of SIRE 2.0, which marked a significant step-change in how tanker inspections are conducted and reported.
On 2 September 2024 OCIMF introduced the highly anticipated SIRE 2.0, replacing VIQ7 as the leading tanker inspection tool, resulting in a robust inspection programme that enhances industry safety, efficiency, and environmental protection. SIRE 2.0 delivers on OCIMF’s commitment to fostering and promoting a culture of continuous improvement and excellence throughout the maritime industry.
From the outset, the goal of developing a digitalised version of SIRE was to build on the success of the existing programme while making sure it could be more readily adapted to the changing nature of risk and the evolving operational landscape. The SIRE 2.0 inspection programme has significantly expanded the depth and quality of marine assurance data gathered during vessel inspections. This allows, on an ongoing basis, for more in-depth reporting and comprehensive vessel assessments. Now that SIRE 2.0 is in place, OCIMF expects the digitalised regime to be more readily adaptable to address issues of emerging risk, enabling OCIMF to continue working with industry to further enhance safety standards in the years and decades to come.
The phased approach to introduction
Recognising that SIRE 2.0 would mark a significant step-change in how tanker inspections are conducted and reported, the phased approach to the introduction of the new regime allowed for rigorous testing and minimised disruptions for programme users. Crucially, by following a phased introduction and a careful management of change process, OCIMF was able to work with stakeholders to adapt to new protocols and to ensure they had the resources and tools to familiarise themselves with the new regime.
According to Karen Davis, Managing Director, OCIMF, as the ongoing Red Sea Crisis threatened freedom of navigation through the Southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and adjacent waters, OCIMF continues to monitor identified threats, engage with militaries and industry partners, and share related information useful for risk assessments to protect mariners considering transit through the region.
In addition, OCIMF supported the development of the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), a combined maritime forces communications tool that shares accurate and timely information with interested maritime stakeholders related to the Houthis attacks on merchant vessels. This engagement underscores the agility and commitment to effectively addressing security risks, with those learnings to have been incorporated into the new version of Best Management Practice Maritime Security (BMP MS).
Download the report: OCIMF Annual Report 2025