The new service structure involves the hire of more inhouse surveyors in 2005 to reduce the reliance on subcontractors. DNVPS will also consolidate its bunker quantity surveys (BQS) service to concentrate on key bunkering hubs.

The restructured service will be implemented from 1 January 2005 and is intended to better control the professional and ethical conduct of surveyors carrying out quantity surveys.

Integrity in focus
According to DNVPS managing director, Per Holmvang, the company’s decision to restructure its services, came about as a result of an exercise to enhance internal control over the integrity of its bunker surveys, following the prosecution of three Singapore BQS subcontractors for corruption.

Holmvang believes that the move to employ a team of mainly inhouse surveyors is an “expeditious route” to achieving better quality control.

“We will have direct and immediate influence over how things should be done. On-the-job control checks will also become easier to organise and conduct,” says Holmvang who adds “likewise, DNVPS’ consolidation of its BQS activities is driven by the focus on delivering services of higher quality.”

Independent audit
Besides the expected benefits of the BQS service restructure, Holmvang confirms that PSB Corporation, the private arm of the national standards body SPRING Singapore, has recently issued an audit report which effectively disproves claims by certain suppliers that DNVPS surveyors in Singapore are too slow on the job.

“The audit findings put to rest any doubts about the efficiency of our surveyors and in turn questions the motives of those suppliers in Singapore who are boycotting us,” says Holmvang.

Holmvang adds that regular audits of the BQS service by both external bodies and internal staff will be a cornerstone of the company’s stringent quality management system.