Changes For The Better
Across dry bulk shipping, the variety of onboard operations is extensive – and the conditions surrounding them can shift hour by hour. In this setting, structured risk assessment helps organisations minimise operational risk and manage complex operations more safely. New regulations, evolving technology, different cargoes and commercial pressures all introduce change into daily operations. Change also brings new responsibilities for every dry bulk operator, and without structured risk assessment, these changes can unintentionally increase operational risk and compromise ship safety.
With an organisation’s safety at risk, addressing these changes becomes a priority that requires constant attention. Implementing the DryBMS framework into daily operations helps an organisation manage change systematically and safely.
Why Risk Management Matters in Dry Bulk Operations
The environments in which dry bulk vessels operate are notoriously complex and as a result multiple risk factors interact. As these operational hazards can be encountered at any time, DryBMS encourages operators to view risk management as a continuous process. Embedding DryBMS assessment into everyday operations rather than relying on a periodic exercise helps with the safe running of a dry bulk shipping organisation.
Managing Change within the Safety Management System
For change management to be most effective, it’s essential that measures should be fully integrated into an organisation’s safety management system. This can be successfully achieved with the support of DryBMS which ensures:
- changes are formally assessed before implementation
- hazards are identified and controlled
- responsibilities are clearly assigned
- crews are informed and trained
This applies equally to technical modifications and operational changes.
Identifying Hazards before They Become Incidents
A further way in which DryBMS promotes safety within a dry bulk operation is structured hazard identification. Here the framework helps operators recognise:
- emerging operational risks
- recurring deficiencies and non-conformities
- weaknesses in procedures
- gaps in competence
DryBMS alerts operators to these concerns, and by addressing them early they can reduce incident likelihood and improve resilience.
Turning Risk Insight into Safer Operations
With DryBMS fully implemented into a dry bulk operation it effectively closes the loop by linking risk assessments to:
- Root Cause Analysis
- corrective actions
- performance monitoring
- leadership review
By driving this action DryBMS ensures an organisation’s safety management evolves alongside operations and remains effective over time.
Discover how the DryBMS framework can help your dry bulk shipping company manage changes efficiently. Find out more here.
