The maritime safety management system (MSMS) : a survey of the international shipping community

• Main Authors: Thai, Vinh Van, Grewal, Devinder
• Other Authors: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Maritime studies::Maritime management and business
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/94808; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/8089
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper presents the findings of a research project on the Maritime Safety Management System (MSMS) conducted at the Australian Maritime College (AMC) in 2004. The main objectives of this study are to identify key shorebased and near shore activities associated with maritime operations that are currently not covered by the ISM Code and players involved in these activities; to explore and analyse important relationships among them which can affect the management of safety; and to investigate the key safety issues within these relationships and the risks related to these safety issues. Based on this identification and analysis, the basic elements of a good maritime safety plan are identified. This study applies a two-stage methodological approach, in which a focus group discussion is utilized first to explore the initial ideas from maritime experts, followed by a mail survey to reflect the perceptions of the international shipping community. The findings of this study provide essential insights to the formulation of such a global Maritime Safety Management System for the sake of ‘safer ships and cleaner oceans’.