New elements in international maritime standards: developing a safety case approach for the treatment of tanker incidents

In this paper we examine new methods for investigating and evaluating marine accidents at the international level. The main feature is the assessment of risks because ship safety regulations have so far failed to address the risks caused by ships. In decision-making process criteria may be used to determine whether risks are acceptable and/or tolerable. The Safety Case Approach is a risk-management methodology that may assist ship operators to reduce risks to as low as reasonably practicable. It does not refer to prescriptive rules and regulations but rather uses the goal-setting principle. So far, it has been applied to high-speed crafts in order to provide high levels of safety for the safe and efficient operation of these vessels. We focus on the tanker industry and particularly on incidents caused by fire and/or explosion because they involve high risks of environmental damage and loss of lives.