#PORTS & SHIPPING – Gery Docherty, Technical Superintendent at Ardmore Shipping Ltd spoke of the importance of the human component in technical performance management at last month's 'Propulsion & Emissions Conference 2012' organised by The Motorship.

Among the conference guest speakers were representatives of the IMO, European Commission and Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport also were in attendance.

Docherty also delivered a clear message to delegates for the need for the shipping industry to prepare for the impending 2015 sulphur regulations, which will see far tighter limits on sulphur emissions in designated Emission Control Areas.

In addition he provided an overview of the options available, including low sulphur fuel products, exhaust gas cleaning systems and LNG as a ship's fuel.

However, as well as technology solutions, Ardmore Shipping which currently has newbuilds on order from South Korea, belief in the importance of the human element in every aspect of management. This covers plant, generator, fuel oil systems and bunker performance management, along with the enduring value of basic skills and the essential role played by all stakeholders: owners, technical managers, superintendents and crew members.

Docherty also stressed that non-compliance with the 2015 regulations is not an option. He also outlined the considerations for Ardmore Shipping as it prepares to meet the challenges posed by the MARPOL Annex VI amendments, which take effect on 1 January 2015.