SIRE 2.0: A new chapter in maritime safety

In this respect, SIRE 2.0 transforms the ISM Code from a document-based requirement into a living management system. For auditors, the inspection no longer revolves around procedural adherence alone, but serves as a measure of how effectively safety is led and practised on board.

The application of SIRE 2.0 to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code also moves security from a static compliance checklist to a dynamic system of awareness and response. Under the conventional ISPS approach, inspectors typically reviewed drills, visitor logs, access control measures, and security documentation. SIRE 2.0 goes further by examining behavioural security: how actively the crew recognises and responds to potential threats, how engaged the Ship Security Officer (SSO) is with daily onboard activity, and whether access control procedures are genuinely adhered to when inspections are not imminent.

Security, under this model, becomes more than a paper requirement — it becomes ingrained in shipboard routine.

A similar evolution is evident in the approach to the Maritime Labour Convention. The MLC addresses not only legal minimums for working conditions but the broader concept of seafarer welfare and its inextricable link to safety. SIRE 2.0 reflects this by observing factors such as fatigue management, morale, leadership communication, and crew cohesion. It asks whether rest hour requirements are honoured in practice, whether team dynamics support mental wellbeing, and whether manning levels are not only compliant but operationally sustainable.

Rather than seeing the human element as secondary, SIRE 2.0 places it at the centre of vessel performance and safety.

As the system matures, the implications extend far beyond individual inspection reports. SIRE 2.0 creates a feedback loop that supports safer, smarter, and more transparent operations across the maritime industry.

One of the primary innovations is the shift toward risk-based vetting. Rather than applying a uniform checklist to all ships, inspections are now shaped by vessel-specific risk profiles. These include historical performance, technical complexity, operating areas, and previous deficiencies. This enables charterers, oil majors, and vetting departments to make contextualised decisions based on a comprehensive risk picture. For operators who demonstrate strong safety cultures, this could lead to shorter approval times and more stable commercial opportunities.

Another advantage is the ability to gather and analyse data across fleets, which will transform training and competency development. With a more granular understanding of recurring deficiencies — be it enclosed space entry, permit-to-work protocols, or machinery isolation — training can become tailored and proactive. Rather than generic content, companies can offer programmes that respond directly to observed challenges. This will also enhance Competency Management Systems by providing real-world behavioural data to complement qualifications.

Furthermore, SIRE 2.0 provides a new lens through which to measure Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. As scrutiny intensifies around social responsibility in shipping, the behavioural insights captured during SIRE 2.0 inspections offer quantifiable indicators of crew wellbeing, leadership accountability, and workplace safety. In the future, these metrics may become integral to ESG reporting, investor due diligence, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

The system also strengthens feedback mechanisms under the ISM Code. Traditionally, Safety Management System reviews have relied on indicators, such as near-misses or incidents. With SIRE 2.0, companies can integrate real-time observational data into SMS reviews. If inspectors routinely note confusion around risk assessments, lifeboat drills, or designated roles, companies can revise procedures and reinforce training proactively — before deficiencies escalate into incidents.

“This is not an effort to catch crews unprepared”

Finally, SIRE 2.0 enhances transparency and accountability. Its digital, behaviour-focused structure provides consistency across inspections, reducing subjectivity and ensuring that findings are evidence-based. This empowers both operators and inspectors, while reinforcing a leadership culture where accountability extends from the bridge to the boardroom.

In conclusion, SIRE 2.0 is not simply a more thorough inspection regime — it is a platform for continuous dialogue between ship and shore, management and crew, policy and practice. It compels the industry to ask challenging but necessary questions: are our safety systems practical? Do they enable real-time decision-making? Is our culture one that rewards transparency and encourages speaking up?

While SIRE 2.0 presents clear challenges, it also offers a timely opportunity. If embraced fully, it has the potential to drive measurable improvements in safety performance, crew welfare, and operational integrity — creating a maritime industry that is not only compliant, but truly resilient.