Calling all dry bulk operators – DryBMS is here!

DryBMS is a joint initiative from Rightship and Intercargo, with input from representatives of the dry bulk industry.

This self-assessment programme sets out 30 areas of management practice within four sections: Performance, People, Plant and Processes, which are subject to four target levels. At the ‘basic’ level, it requires companies to meet existing legal requirements, but it also allows companies to use best practice to raise their standards by setting three further levels: ‘intermediate’, ‘advanced’ and ‘excellence’.

The four sections

1. Performance

The subject areas in this section are all based around proactive Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) culture and the objectives within your company. Examples include:

• Your company’s commitment to HSSE
• HSSE objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs)
•  Safety management system (SMS) governing documents
• Audit planning, review and close out

2. People

These subject areas are centered around a proactive human resources (HR) policy. Questions concern aspects such as the selection criteria for both seagoing and office staff, recruitment methods and training standards. Importantly it also includes crew welfare.

3. Plant

As the name would suggest, this section is all about the vessel’s equipment, its maintenance and ensuring it is fit for purpose. Subject areas include dry docking surveys, critical equipment and planned maintenance.

4. Process

This covers the “how we get things done safely” aspect. Subjects include safety culture improvements, cyber security and emergency planning as well as the more day-to-day tasks like mooring, cargo operations, ballasting and bridge procedures.

Target levels

DryBMS is based on a self-assessment; you review each subject area against your set target level, and you gather evidence to show you are meeting your target level.

BASIC

This is meeting the minimum standards required to trade as laid out by the vessel’s Flag State and Classification Society. The company must set some HSSE goals and refer to all relevant industry guidelines and accepted normal best practice.

INTERMEDIATE

Your company meets all the ‘basic’ level requirements but also follows a continuous improvement process as well as formalising in your procedures non-mandatory best practice. You prove you go beyond basic requirements to manage risk.

ADVANCED

You meet the ‘intermediate’ level and can show your continuous improvement process isn’t just in place but operates effectively. You look ahead and adopt upcoming legislation and guidelines earlier than required. You also use tools to manage the KPIs you set with regard to HSSE and other emerging risks.

EXCELLENCE

You meet all the ‘advanced’ level items and you collect and analyse leading indicators and assess emerging risks. Importantly, you show you have a system in place for acting on and correctly closing-out issues from HSSE risks.

Assess yourself

So, what if I can’t meet the highest target level, does this mean I am a bad operator?
NO! Importantly you must understand it is YOU that sets the target level, not the owners of the standard. These levels are not set to say that all operators must reach the ‘excellence’ target level; that is not the point of the levels.

As with TMSA, where tanker operators decide which level is best for them and their business, many do not choose the very top level. DryBMS allows the operator to select the level they want to achieve. Management should decide on the target based on the needs of their charterers, trades and fleet.

Once the target level has been set by the participating company, it is important that the project is driven by the company’s senior management. But that doesn’t mean one person needs to do everything! Spread the review to the relevant subject area department, e.g. your HR department can take ownership of the ‘people’ section.

The standards include the expectations, targets and even suggested evidence. Of course, this is suggested evidence and not an absolute list.

Once your teams have gathered their evidence, you can record your findings across the sectors and score yourself for each subject area on the online self-assessment form. You may not always need to upload your evidence – just outline the evidence you found and how it shows you meet the criteria for the target you set.

Scoring

Scores for each stage are based on the following:

• This level is not met: 0%
• This level has substantial opportunities for improvement: 25%
• This level is partially met: 50%
• This level is substantially met: 75%
• This level is fully met: 100%

The percentages for each stage are totalled and divided by 100 to give a score out of four.
Scoring will be recorded on your online dashboard, which you may allow third parties, such as charterers, to access.

DryBMS FAQs

Will DryBMS survey the vessels and / or verify the evidence independently?

Currently there are no plans to do this, this is purely a self-assessment process. Of course, the standard cannot control what charterers may wish to do in the future with regard surveys or verification.

What stops operators scoring themselves top marks even if they don’t deserve it?

Nothing – this is based on trust. However, it is imagined that any misrepresentation will be short-lived. If charterers take on a vessel on the understanding it is operating in the “EXCELLENCE” category, and issues with cargoes or indeed safety arise, questions will be asked.

DryBMS say this will be a case of “only lying to yourself.” One of the clear advantages to the system is to allow an operator the chance to see where improvements can be made in the company. All safety records plateau at some point, DryBMS may allow you to focus on where further improvements can be made, both with safety and efficiency, to start improvements again.

It sounds a big job! Where can I start?

DryBMS has set out 17 priority subject areas across three sectors. These are all safety-critical items and should therefore be tackled first. Perhaps look at these now and start thinking about your evidence.

Is it easier to get a third party to do this for me?

DryBMS do not believe so. Those that have reviewed the standard and subject areas agree that, on the whole, they already have these things in place; it is about setting a target and evidencing that you have met it. Whilst this may take time, it should not require paying third party providers to do this. It should also be a learning process for the company’s employees, where they take ownership of their roles within their department.

Is this another thing we are being forced to do?

No, DryBMS is voluntary! However, if the take-up is good from the industry, charterers may think more deeply about who they charter, based on safety standards as well as cost. Therefore, those that are reluctant, may need to get involved.

With thanks to Luke Fisher of Rightship and Paul Markides of Intercargo for their assistance with this article.

Find out more

The draft standards are available on the DryBMS website at https://drybms.org/guidelines/.