The maritime safety management system (MSMS): A survey of the international shipping community

This paper presents the findings of a research project on the Maritime Safety Management System (MSMS) conducted at the Australian Maritime College (AMC) in 2004. The main objectives of this study are to identify key shore-based and near shore activities associated with maritime operations that are currently not covered by the ISM Code and players involved in these activities; to explore and analyse important relationships among them which can affect the management of safety; and to investigate the key safety issues within these relationships and the risks related to these safety issues. Based on this identification and analysis, the basic elements of a good maritime safety plan are identified. This study applies a two-stage methodological approach, in which a focus group discussion is utilized first to explore the initial ideas from maritime experts, followed by a mail survey to reflect the perceptions of the international shipping community. The findings of this study provide essential insights to the formulation of such a global Maritime Safety Management System for the sake of ‘safer ships and cleaner oceans’. © 2006 Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. All rights reserved.