Ciresa Shipping: Your Reliable Partner on the Seas

Safety Standards

Safety is the Foundation of Everything We Do

At Ciresa Shipping, safety is not just a priority—it is the very foundation of our business. We are committed to doing everything possible to guarantee the safety of our customers, our employees, and the environment. In an industry handling complex and hazardous materials, this commitment demands unwavering attention and continuous effort from every single person in our organization.

 

Our Core Belief: Every person working at a Ciresa Shipping location—whether at our Terneuzen headquarters, our Rhoon facility, or aboard a vessel—must be able to return home at the end of the working day without having suffered or caused harm in any way. Eliminating risk for all persons is the key element supporting every activity we undertake.

In today’s complex operational environment, this requires a sustained and continuous effort from us all. We can only achieve our goal of zero incidents if every employee at Ciresa Shipping understands the risks, realizes the critical importance of safety, and knows exactly what to do in every situation. The safety of everyone depends on our collective commitment at all times, in all circumstances. We should all care.

 

SAFETY FUNDAMENTALS

Our Safety Policy

Ciresa Shipping’s policy states that we continuously work towards our goals of zero incidents and no damage to the environment. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we expect every employee and contractor to contribute actively to their own safety and that of others.

While embedded in our comprehensive safety culture, it is important to emphasize that:

All persons will be trained and competent in the work they conduct
All persons must know, understand, and comply with the basic safety regulations in force at any Ciresa location
Everyone who works at our facilities should fully comply with all applicable procedures
Work will not be conducted without a proper job safety assessment
For work without an approved procedure, a permit-to-work is required
Emergency response plans will be in place before work starts
Appropriate and prescribed personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times
It is everyone’s responsibility to stop work that is unsafe

 

OPERATIONAL SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Product Transfer Safety

Before and during the transfer of products—whether for vessel loading, bunkering operations, or tank storage—the following rules are strictly followed:

– The safety information on the product is available, known, and understood by all personnel involved
– The pipeline configuration and line-up is checked and verified
– Appropriate grounding of the transport medium (vessels, barges, vehicles, pipelines, etc.) is carried out to prevent electrostatic discharge at all times
– The appropriate personal protective equipment is prescribed and worn by all personnel in the operation zone

 

Management of Change

Temporary and permanent changes to systems, processes, procedures, equipment, organization, personnel, products, materials, and work arising from changes in laws and regulations cannot proceed unless a formal **Management of Change (MOC)** process has been completed. This includes:

– A risk assessment that covers all impacted by the change—personnel, environment, and operations
– A work plan that clearly specifies the timescale for the change and any control measures to be implemented regarding:
– Equipment, facilities, and processes
– Operations, maintenance, and inspection procedures
– Training, personnel, and communication
– Documentation and record-keeping
– Authorization of the complete work plan by the responsible person(s)

 

Lockout and Tagout (LOTO)

Any isolation of energy systems—mechanical, electrical, process, hydraulic, and others—cannot proceed unless:

– The method of cut-off and discharge of stored energy are agreed and executed by competent person(s)
– Any stored energy is safely discharged
– A system of locks and tags is used at all isolation points
– A test is conducted to ensure the isolation is effective
– Isolation effectiveness is periodically monitored throughout the work

 

Excavation Safety

Work that involves a man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the soil at our facilities cannot proceed unless:

– A hazard assessment of the work location is completed by competent person(s)
– All underground hazards—including pipelines, electrical cables, and utilities—have been identified, located, and if necessary, isolated
– A valid permit-to-work is obtained
– Where persons are to enter an excavation:
– A confined space entry permit must be issued where applicable
– Ground movement must be controlled and collapse prevented by systematically shoring, sloping, benching, etc., as appropriate
– Ground and environmental conditions must be continuously monitored for change

 

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

BRZO (Besluit Risico Zware Ongevallen)

As Ciresa Shipping provides services related to the handling of oil, chemicals, and petrochemical products, we are classified as a **Major Hazard Company**. Therefore, we must comply with the European SEVESO III Directive, which aims to prevent and control major industrial accidents involving dangerous goods.

In the Netherlands, the SEVESO III directive is implemented through the BRZO: Besluit Risico Zware Ongevallen. Ciresa Shipping’s prevention policy fully complies with the BRZO’15 directive, ensuring that our operations meet the strictest standards for major hazard control.

 

International Ship and Port Facility Security Code

Because Ciresa Shipping operates terminals with direct connections to vital maritime routes, including access to the Port of Rotterdam and North Sea shipping lanes, we must comply with the ISPS Code—the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. This comprehensive set of security measures applies to vessels and port facilities worldwide, implemented to enhance maritime security and protect global trade.

Ciresa Shipping is ISPS certified. This means we have:

– Performed and maintain a thorough risk analysis of our facilities
– Prepared and implemented a comprehensive security plan
– Appointed a Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) to put the security plan into effect and ensure ongoing compliance
– Implemented professional port security measures, including mandatory identity checks at all terminal entrances and continuous surveillance of our facilities

 

OUR COMMITMENT

At Ciresa Shipping, we understand that safety excellence is not a destination—it is a continuous journey of improvement, vigilance, and care. Through our integrated management systems, rigorous training, and unwavering commitment to safety fundamentals, we protect what matters most: our people, our communities, our environment, and the valuable cargo entrusted to us.

Our Safety Philosophy

At Ciresa Shipping, safety is not a priority—it is a core value. Priorities can change, but our commitment to safety remains constant. We believe that all incidents are preventable and maintain systems designed to identify hazards, manage risks, and protect everyone involved in our operations.

 

Key Elements
  1. Safety policies and objectives

  2. Hazard identification and risk assessment

  3. Safe work procedures

  4. Training and competency

  5. Emergency preparedness

  6. Incident investigation

  7. Performance monitoring

  8. Continuous improvement

Operational Safety Measures
Vessel Safety
  • Regular vessel inspections and maintenance

  • Certified and trained crew members

  • Navigation safety systems

  • Cargo handling procedures

  • Ballast water management

Terminal Safety
  • Secure storage facility design

  • Spill containment systems

  • Fire detection and suppression

  • Access control and security

  • Regular safety drills

Bunkering Safety
  • Double-hull barges for fuel transport

  • Product-dedicated equipment

  • Transfer procedure compliance

  • Spill response readiness

  • Quality verification protocols

Training and Competency
Initial Training

All personnel receive comprehensive safety orientation covering:

  • Company safety policies

  • Emergency procedures

  • Hazard recognition

  • Safe work practices

  • Personal protective equipment

Ongoing Development
  • Regular safety refresher courses

  • Specialized training for specific roles

  • Drill participation and evaluation

  • Lessons learned from incidents

  • Industry best practice updates

Competency Verification
  • Skills assessments

  • Supervisory observations

  • Performance evaluations

  • Certification verification

  • Continuous monitoring

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Before any operation, we systematically:

  1. Identify potential hazards

  2. Assess associated risks

  3. Implement control measures

  4. Verify control effectiveness

  5. Monitor for changes

This process applies to routine operations, non-routine activities, and changes to facilities or procedures.

Emergency Preparedness
Response Plans

Comprehensive emergency response plans address:

  • Fire and explosion

  • Spill and release

  • Medical emergencies

  • Severe weather

  • Security incidents

Resources
  • Emergency equipment strategically located

  • Trained response teams

  • Communication systems

  • External support coordination

  • Regular equipment inspection

Drills and Exercises

Regular drills ensure readiness:

  • Onboard vessel drills

  • Terminal evacuation exercises

  • Spill response simulations

  • Communication tests

  • After-action reviews

Incident Investigation

When incidents occur, we investigate to understand root causes, not to assign blame. Our investigation process:

  1. Secure the scene and preserve evidence

  2. Gather factual information

  3. Analyze causal factors

  4. Identify root causes

  5. Develop corrective actions

  6. Share lessons learned

  7. Verify implementation effectiveness

Safety Performance
Leading Indicators
  • Safety training completion

  • Drill participation

  • Hazard reports submitted

  • Safety meetings conducted

  • Preventive maintenance compliance

Lagging Indicators
  • Incident frequency rates

  • Severity of incidents

  • Near-miss occurrences

  • Regulatory findings

  • Insurance claims

Our Commitment to You

When you partner with Ciresa Shipping, you can trust that your cargo is handled by professionals who prioritize safety at every step. Our systems, procedures, and culture work together to protect what matters most.

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