Definition:
OFEG (Ocean Facilities Exchange Group) is an operationally focussed group with representatives from 6 countries. OFEG's main objective is the exchange of ship time, seagoing equipment and technical support.
OFEG Member countries currently include: France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom.
An integral part of OFEG is OFEG-TECH, a spin-off where the technical representatives from OFEG countries meet and exchange ideas.
Structure of OFEG:
Chair: appointed for 3 years
Vice-chair: appointed for 3 years, will then succeed chair (at present: TBC)
OFEG-Tech chair: representing OFEG-Tech at OFEG meetings (at present: TBC)
Members, 1 or 2 per country
Observers: By request to the chair, members can ask that additional colleagues from their organisation attend OFEG meetings. Additionally, organisations interested in interacting with OFEG in some capacity can request to attend an OFEG meeting as an observer. This request should be directed to the chair, who will then circulate the request to the OFEG members to ensure there are no objections before the request is accepted.
Appointed tasks:
CHAIR:
- chairs OFEG meetings
- represents OFEG at other meetings
- barter paperwork (activities, barter balance etc.)
- responsible for meeting paperwork, agenda
VICE-CHAIR:
- replaces chair when necessary
- responsible for meeting minutes
OFEG-TECH CHAIR:
- represents OFEG-TECH.
- reports on OFEG-tech discussions.
- transfer OFEG ideas and requests to OFEG-TECH
OFEG MEMBERS:
- Facilitate barter requests when possible.
- Keep cruise schedules up-to-date.
- Reports barter activities and balances to chair/vice-chair.
- Responsible for organisation and logistics for OFEG meetings when hosting.
Purpose of OFEG:
To facilitate the exchange of ship time and major equipment between partners without the need to transfer money. Instead, virtual money is used (barter points). Each ship and each piece of equipment has been valued for a certain number of points per day determined by the technical capabilities of the ship or equipment. Barter activities are discussed and agreed on by members, and the resulting debt in points is agreed on. All barter transactions are reported to chair/vice chair. At the end of each year, barter balance and activity papers are updated and agreed on by all members. Via OFEG-TECH: To facilitate interoperability between ships and equipment and technicians by organizing workshops, trainings and trials cruises.
Annual meetings:
OFEG meets twice every year, in Spring for a two-day meeting and in Autumn for a 0ne-day meeting. Meeting places rotate amongst the OFEG member countries. OFEG-TECH meets once a year, in Autumn. OFEG-TECH meetings are to be held shortly before the OFEG meeting so the OFEG-CHAIR can report directly to OFEG, thereby maintaining a close connection between the two.
Requests to join OFEG:
Requests to join OFEG should be directed in the first instance to the Chair of OFEG, and the request should be discussed at the next OFEG meeting, or by email amongst members; whichever is most appropriate. Prior to joining OFEG, potential new members should form an official bilateral agreement for barter of ship time with a current OFEG member. Should this agreement prove sufficiently active, then access to the OFEG group can be gained through this bilateral in the first instance, and reviewed at regular intervals to agree whether the organisation can join as a member of OFEG. A new member organisation will only be accepted if all current members are in agreement.