Tanker inspection is where commercial viability meets safety compliance — a single negative observation on a SIRE 2.0 report can cost a vessel its charter, while a failed CDI inspection can exclude a chemical tanker from an entire trade route. Since SIRE 2.0 permanently replaced VIQ7 as OCIMF's tanker vetting standard on 2 September 2024, the inspection paradigm has fundamentally changed: inspections are now algorithm-driven from a Compiled Vessel Inspection Questionnaire (CVIQ) tailored to each vessel's specific risk profile, digitally recorded on certified tablets, and evaluate crew competency alongside hardware and procedures through mandatory Performance Influencing Factor (PIF) assessment. No two SIRE 2.0 inspections are identical — approximately 100 tailored questions are drawn from a comprehensive library covering 12 chapters, and every negative observation must be linked to at least one PIF, making human factors a documented part of every deficiency. The SIRE database now holds over 180,000 inspection reports on more than 8,000 vessels, and major oil companies require recent reports (within 6 months) before chartering. For chemical tankers, CDI (Chemical Distribution Institute) inspections apply similar rigour under the IBC Code framework. For LNG and LPG carriers, the IGC Code governs cargo system design, operation, and inspection with additional SIGTTO guidance. OCIMF's TMSA 3 programme provides the shore-side management framework — with a strong TMSA score now a prerequisite for securing charters with oil majors. The commercial reality is stark: poor vetting results lead to charter rejection, increased insurance premiums, enhanced PSC scrutiny, and lasting reputational damage. Marine Inspection already hosts a comprehensive OCIMF SIRE vessel inspection checklist and tanker compliance platform — book a demo to see how digital preparation transforms your vetting outcomes.
Inspection: SIRE 2.0 (OCIMF). Algorithm-driven, ~100 questions per inspection, human factors assessment mandatory.
Key systems: Inert gas system (O2 <8% in tanks), crude oil washing (COW), cargo tank coating, P/V valves, cargo monitoring, ballast segregation.
Critical items: IG plant efficiency, tank atmosphere monitoring, COW effectiveness, OWS 15ppm compliance, ODME calibration, SBT arrangements.
Inspection: SIRE 2.0 + CDI inspections. CDI focuses on chemical-specific cargo handling, tank cleaning, and compatibility.
Key systems: Cargo segregation (piping, pumping, venting), tank coatings (stainless, zinc silicate, epoxy, phenolic), cargo heating/cooling, vapour return.
Critical items: Cargo compatibility, tank cleaning verification (wall wash tests), P&A manual compliance, material safety data sheets, chemical exposure protection.
Inspection: SIRE 2.0 Chapter 8.5 (LNG) / 8.6 (Gas common). IGC Code compliance verified. SIGTTO guidelines referenced.
Key systems: Cargo containment (membrane/Moss), reliquefaction/boil-off management, gas detection, ESD systems, cargo compressors, nitrogen supply.
Critical items: MARVS compliance, cargo tank pressure/temperature monitoring, gas detection calibration, ESD testing, SEQ condition, cold-zone procedures.
SIRE 2.0: The Complete Inspection Framework
| Chapter | Focus Area | What Inspectors Verify | Common Negative Observations | Preparation Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ch. 1 | General Information | Certificates valid, HVPQ/PIQ data current, crew documentation, alcohol/drug policy compliance. | Expired certificates, outdated PIQ data (triggers wrong CVIQ questions), inadequate A&D testing records. | Update HVPQ/PIQ before every inspection — pre-populated data drives question selection. |
| Ch. 2 | Certification & Documentation | Statutory certificates, class certificates, ISM DOC/SMC, ISPS SSC, MLC, CLC, BWM Certificate. | Missing endorsements, expired intermediate surveys, class conditions not actioned. | Certificate tracking system with expiry alerts. All endorsements current. |
| Ch. 3 | Crew Management | Manning levels, STCW certificates, rest hours compliance, familiarisation records, language proficiency. | Rest hour violations, incomplete familiarisation, officers unable to demonstrate procedure knowledge. | Crew competency documented per role. Rest hour records auditable. Language barriers identified. |
| Ch. 4 | Navigation & Communications | Bridge equipment condition, passage planning, ECDIS compliance, GMDSS, AIS, VDR, BNWAS. | Outdated ENCs, ECDIS alarms not set, radar performance degradation, VDR annual test overdue. | Weekly ENC updates. Navigation equipment PM schedule maintained. VDR test current. |
| Ch. 5 | Safety Management | ISM SMS implementation, emergency procedures, drills, near-miss reporting, risk assessments, PTW. | Generic risk assessments, pre-written drill reports, poor near-miss reporting volume, PTW not followed. | Genuine safety culture evidence: varied drill scenarios, specific risk assessments, active near-miss system. |
| Ch. 6 | Pollution Prevention | SOPEP, Oil Record Book, OWS/ODME, garbage management, ballast water management, IHM. | ORB entries inconsistent with sounding logs, OWS 15ppm alarm bypassed, BWMS not operational. | ORB entries match sounding records. ODME calibration current. BWMS compliant. |
| Ch. 7 | Structural Condition | Hull integrity, deck condition, corrosion, coating condition, watertight integrity, structural surveys. | Coating breakdown in ballast tanks, deck corrosion, wastage beyond class limits, coating failure in cargo tanks. | Planned dry dock programme. Enhanced survey findings actioned. Photo evidence maintained. |
| Ch. 8 | Cargo & Ballast Systems | Cargo operations, IG system, COW, tank cleaning, cargo monitoring, P/V valves, vapour systems — specific sub-chapters per tanker type. | IG O2 >5% at plant, cargo tank not inerted, COW records incomplete, P/V valve frozen, high-level alarm defective. | IG plant tested and efficient. All cargo alarms functional. Tank atmosphere records current. |
| Ch. 9 | Mooring | Mooring equipment condition, OCIMF MEG4 compliance, snap-back zones marked, SWL marked, synthetic tail condition. | Snap-back zones not marked/faded, mooring line condition poor, winch brake holding test not recorded. | MEG4 mooring assessment completed. All lines within service life. Brake tests documented. |
| Ch. 10 | Engine & Steering | Engine room condition, steering gear testing, emergency generator, fire detection, bilge systems. | Oil leaks on engines/auxiliary systems, steering gear test not at correct interval, ER cleanliness poor. | Engine room housekeeping programme. Steering gear tested per SOLAS V/26. All leaks addressed. |
| Ch. 11 | General Appearance | Deck condition, accommodation, galley, stores, hospital, garbage management, pest control. | Deck corrosion unaddressed, poor accommodation standards, galley hygiene issues. | Regular maintenance rounds. Crew welfare standards maintained. Ongoing painting programme. |
| Ch. 12 | Ice Operations | Ice class notation, winterisation procedures, ice navigation equipment, crew ice competency. | Winterisation incomplete, ice class equipment not functional, crew unfamiliar with ice procedures. | Applicable only to ice-class vessels. Seasonal preparation documented. |
SIRE 2.0 Rating System: What Each Response Means
CDI for Chemical Tankers: Beyond SIRE
How Marine Inspection Delivers Vetting-Ready Tankers
Conclusion
Tanker inspection is the discipline where safety compliance and commercial survival are inseparable — SIRE 2.0 (permanently replacing VIQ7 since September 2024) has transformed vetting from a standardised checklist exercise into an algorithm-driven, human-factors-focused assessment that evaluates crew competency alongside hardware and procedures. With approximately 100 tailored questions per inspection, mandatory PIF linkage for negative observations, and a 4-tier rating system (Best Practice, Satisfactory, Largely Satisfactory, Negative Observation), operators can no longer rely on last-minute preparation. The three tanker types — oil (SOLAS, MARPOL, ISGOTT), chemical (IBC Code, CDI), and LNG/LPG (IGC Code, SIGTTO) — each have specific inspection regimes with distinct cargo system requirements. TMSA 3 provides the shore-side management framework, and a strong TMSA score is now a prerequisite for securing charters with oil majors. The 12 SIRE 2.0 chapters cover every aspect of vessel operations from certificates through cargo systems to ice operations. CDI adds chemical-specific scrutiny on compatibility, tank cleaning verification, and cargo segregation. The commercial consequences of poor vetting are immediate and lasting — charter rejection, increased insurance, PSC targeting, and reputational damage. Marine Inspection delivers the digital platform that makes tanker vetting preparation a continuous digital workflow — book a live demo today.
