Development of Conceptual Framework for Ship Maintenance Performance Measurements

In the marine shipping industry, maintenance planning is very significant due to its complexity and the obligations on shipping organizations to comply with certain international regulations and requirements. Decision makers some time need a tool to guide them in taking effective and informed decisions on maintenance planning. In this Paper new methodology was developed to measure the maintenance performance for marine shipping organization, which is the ship maintenance performance measurement (SMPM) framework. The framework is developed based on ten thematic criteria that can influence the decision making of ship maintenance schemes such as: maintenance strategy, customers’ satisfaction, employees’ satisfaction, budget and profit margins, health, safety and environment. The research methodology is based on: (a) review of relevant literature to develop the conceptual framework; and (b) interviews survey of three leading marine shipping organizations. The SMPM framework is developed based upon multiple criteria under four organizational hierarchical levels: (1) top management; (2) middle management; (3) ship senior staff; and (4) ship crew. The developed framework is validated by conducting another set of interviews with marine experts. The interviewees reveal that the framework is practically viable; and could be adopted and implemented in industry.