Risk based methodology for safety improvements in ports

Area of Science:

• Maritime Safety
• Risk Management
• Port Operations

Background:

• Increased public and political pressure for maritime safety following tanker disasters and oil pollution incidents.
• The maritime industry is adopting safety regimes, necessitating structured methodologies for safety improvements.
• Lack of established Safety Report (case) regulations for marine operations highlights the need for systematic safety approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a stepwise methodology for enhancing safety in ports and the shipping industry.
• To provide a framework for hazard identification, risk assessment, and control integration.
• To explore the application of quantitative risk assessment in maritime safety.

Main Methods:

• Hazard identification and qualitative risk assessment to establish preventive barriers.
• Development and integration of hazard controls into the Safety Management System (SMS).
• Optional detailed investigation of high-risk areas and discussion of risk quantification approaches.

Main Results:

• A two-step methodology for port safety improvements has been developed.
• The methodology integrates hazard identification, qualitative risk assessment, and control management.
• The study illustrates the application of quantitative risk assessment with practical examples.

Conclusions:

• The developed methodology provides a structured approach to enhance maritime safety.
• Integrating qualitative and quantitative risk assessment strengthens Safety Management Systems.
• The findings support the proactive improvement of safety in ports and the shipping industry.