DNV, Lovoy & NorthStandard – Safety Management 2.0
NorthStandard gathered 41 DPAs and HSEQ leaders to address Safety Management System (SMS) simplification and structural improvement in the shipping industry.
From 4–6 November 2025, representatives from major Greek shipping companies joined the Safety Management 2.0 workshops. The program focused on improving the SMS through clear structure, plain language, and workflow-based design.
DNV, NorthStandard, and Lovoy facilitated the workshops for the P&I club's members. The goal was to develop strong, clear, and compliant SMS frameworks that support safe shipboard operations.
DNV – How Class Evaluates SMS Quality
DNV played a central role throughout the workshops. Dominic Menezes, Principal Management Systems Specialist, shared how classification societies evaluate SMSs.
Participants gained a clearer understanding of:
- How DNV links SMS quality with safe and efficient ship operation
- How class uses International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) recommendations to interpret and inspect International Safety Management (ISM) Code implementation
- Why concise documents are more likely to be read and understood
How duplication, repetition, and ambiguity create inefficiencies and bureaucratic burden
Rethinking Permit to Work (PTW)
The workshops addressed why many older PTW systems became hard to use. They often split one job into many forms or mixed unrelated tasks into one generic form.
Lovoy presented a redesigned PTW approach:
- One form per job type
- No overlap
- No repetition
- Reduced reading time while keeping full technical content
The group also discussed the risk of procedural complacency. Overly complicated PTW systems can create disengagement and reduce focus on real hazards
Presentation on plain language requirements under TMSA 3, DryBMS, and SIRE 2.0 to strengthen Safety Management System (SMS) compliance and usability.
Lessons from Real Case Studies
Case discussions included steering gear failure scenarios and after-failure actions.
The workshops demonstrated how:
- Clear structure improves decision-making under pressure
- Condition-based steps remove guesswork
- Short, ordered procedures increase recovery speed
- Aviation-inspired logic supports faster action and clearer reporting
The conclusion of the workshops was consistent:
SMS improvement requires structure and clear language.
Active seafarers discussing steering gear failure contingency procedures and Safety Management System (SMS) improvement to strengthen emergency response and onboard decision-making.
Read the Full Proceedings
The full workshop proceedings in pdf are available here:
Proceedings from SMS Simplification and Improvement Workshops – Athens, November 2025
Upcoming Workshops
The next Safety Management 2.0 workshops with Lovoy and Green Jacobsen will take place in Monaco on March 17 and 18.
NorthStandard P&I Club members can contact Simon McLeod, Loss Prevention Director – Mediterranean & Ireland for more information:
simon.macleod@north-standard.com