Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) is the premier scientific method that is currently being used for the analysis of maritime safety and for the formulation of related regulatory policy. This paper conducts a critical review of the FSA methodology and proposes ways to improve it. All steps of the FSA approach are looked at, and possible pitfalls or other deficiencies are identified. Then proposals are made to alleviate such deficiencies, with a view to achieve a more transparent and objective approach. The results of this paper may be useful if a revision of the FSA guidelines is contemplated along these lines. Recent International Maritime Organizations (IMO) developments are also described.
The crisis in shipping during the last years was synonymous with low demand for transport, low freight rates and high bunker prices. Sailing at speeds lower than the design speed reduces total fuel consumption resulting in bunker cost savings. Therefore, during the crisis slow steaming has been extensively exercised and some modern vessels were operating at half of their design speed. Given that fuel costs and emissions are directly proportional to one another (both being directly proportional to fuel used), it appears that reducing both could be a straightforward way towards a 'win-win' solution. Thus, this paper discusses the lessons learned by slow steaming providing the link between economy and the environment which is fundamental towards sustainability in shipping.
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