
Complete Charterers Guide to SIRE 2.0
The Future of Vetting is Here
The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) launched SIRE 2.0 on 2nd September, 2024, becoming the new standard for tanker inspections.
The new version of the Ship Inspection Report Programme has now replaced the current system, bringing significant changes that impact all involved.
Below we have captured the key points of the new ship inspection programme and the actions charterers must take now to prepare for the changes ahead.

Mainstay is SIRE 2.0 Ready
Following our work to prepare our Mainstay Vetting System for SIRE 2.0, we’ve created valuable resources to support your SIRE 2.0 transition.
What’s Changed with SIRE 2.0?
SIRE 2.0 introduces four pivotal changes aligned with OCIMF’s commitment to continuous improvement. These enhancements now provide deeper insights into a vessel’s quality and performance through:
SIRE 2.0 inspections are unique because each question will be targeted at the specific vessel under inspection.
Core Questions are safety-critical and included within every SIRE 2.0 inspection. Roughly 80% of the CVIQ questions will be core questions. These questions address risks that could result in catastrophic or severe incidents.
Rotational Questions, as the name implies, are cycled to ensure comprehensive coverage over time. There are two categories: Rotational 1 questions appear in every third or fourth inspection, while Rotational 2 questions are assigned during every sixth inspection of a vessel.
Campaign Questions will be included in a SIRE 2.0 inspection in response to an accident or industry trend identified by OCIMF.
Conditional Questions will be assigned to an inspection based on the specific vessel’s type, onboard equipment and incident history.
Human-factor Focus
The launch of SIRE 2.0 marks a pivotal shift in recognising the essential role of crew members in shipping performance, with the new focus on the human element reflecting our industry’s understanding that crew members are central to the efficient operation of any vessel.
An inspection will now place a focus on the achievability of a task and the conditions under which the crew member must perform their role.
The human element of the inspection is not intended to scrutinise crew members. Rather, inspectors observe the crew, engaging in discussions and demonstrations of essential tasks as they are typically performed. Factors that can make these tasks easier or more challenging are identified by the inspector, allowing them to highlight when a vessel surpasses expectations in task performance.
OCIMF has created guidance for SIRE 2.0 Report recipients, outlining how to effectively utilise the new human factor data: www.ocimf.org/programmes/sire-2-0/sire-2-0-videos.
SIRE 2.0 represents a significant leap forward in vessel inspection processes by transitioning from paper-based methods to a digitalised, tablet-based system.
This advanced feature leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and comprehensiveness of vessel inspections through:
Granular Inspections
SIRE 2.0 supports more detailed and thorough inspections. The granular data will allow for deep analysis and aid in identifying the root causes of incidents and potential safety hazards, helping organisations transition from reactive to proactive risk management.
Enhanced Data Types
The new system enables the inclusion of diverse data types, such as vessel photography. This visual documentation provides valuable insights that were previously unattainable with paper-based methods.
Valuable Insights
By harnessing valuable insights from the wider range of data now captured, organisations can make more informed decisions. This shift not only enables better decision-making but also significantly improves overall safety standards, ensuring a more secure environment for all stakeholders.
Accuracy and Efficiency
Inspectors can input data directly into the inspection editor as they progress, ensuring real-time accuracy and completeness. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces the chances of errors or omissions. Additionally, the automatic syncing feature ensures that all updates are reflected in real-time, saving time and effort for both inspectors and vessel operators.
The new vessel photography functionality in SIRE 2.0 is an essential component for ensuring accurate reporting and compliance.
Emphasising the importance of capturing high-quality images to document the condition of the vessel, these photographs provide visual evidence that complements written inspection reports, offering a more comprehensive overview of the ship’s state.
This practice helps to identify potential hazards, verify corrective actions, and maintain transparency during inspections. The inclusion of advanced vessel photography standards within SIRE 2.0 reflects a commitment to leveraging technology for better safety management in the maritime industry.
What this means for Inspection Reports
From a recipient-user point of view, the Inspection Report is the most evident changes of SIRE 2.0. Previously providing a c25-35 page document of binary-based inspector responses, the new SIRE 2.0 Report PDF will be made up of more than 70 pages of granular data responses.
Based on the Phase 3 rollout undertaken by a number of SIRE users, the increase in Report size significantly increases the review time required for an Inspection. However, the benefits of this change are evident and will surely outweigh any initial concerns.
Apart from having an increased number of pages, the new Inspection Report also offers a more detailed and comprehensive view of the inspection findings. The granular data responses allow for a deeper analysis of each aspect evaluated by the inspector. This can help recipients better understand the strengths and weaknesses of their operations, as well as identify areas for improvement.

Preparing yourself for SIRE 2.0
We have provided these resources to support you in your SIRE 2.0 operations