A TENDER for charter hire of an oil vessel by ONGC has drawn criticism from the shipping industry for disregarding safety requirements. The tender allows companies that do not have statutory certificates, class certificates (certificate of stability) and insurance to bid for transport of diesel along the Indian coast, according to the tender documents floated by ONGC on May 11.
The tender document reviewed by The Indian Express states that all certification showing that the vessel is seaworthy should be valid on the date of an inspection, which will be carried out by a third party on behalf of ONGC after a ship is selected through the bidding process.
