A new analysis by Exploration Systems regarding SIRE 2.0 inspections shows that tanker teams that conduct more thorough self-inspections achieve better results. The company examined approximately 1,300 SIRE 2.0 inspection reports from 25 fleets, which included inspections conducted from late 2024 to August 2026.
Self-Inspection Results and Reduced Observations
Tankers that conduct complete inspections have an average of 2.9 observations per inspection, while the industry average is 5.2 observations. Teams that report 60 or more findings before the inspection record 22 percent fewer observations compared to teams that report fewer findings. Additionally, tankers that have no prior preparation have 30 percent more observations.
The Importance of Closing Findings
This research also shows that closing at least 75 percent of self-reported findings leads to 13 percent fewer observations being recorded. Furthermore, preparation that begins three to six weeks before the inspection yields better results compared to preparation that is delayed by three months or more. This indicates that thorough preparation can significantly impact inspection outcomes.
Fabian Fussek, co-founder and CEO of Exploration Systems, states: "The data shows that a long list of deficiencies is not necessarily a bad sign. In many cases, it indicates that the crew is making sufficient efforts to identify problems before inspectors arrive." He emphasizes that the main issue is not the number of findings but the quality of preparation that can identify problems earlier and resolve them properly.
This analysis also points to the recurrence of observations, with one-quarter of observations having been reported previously on the same tankers. The reviews indicate that only ten questions out of approximately 300 SIRE 2.0 questions account for 40 percent of all observations. Frequent weaknesses include safety inspections of officers in the deck space and machinery.
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