A quality management framework for liner shipping companies to implement the 24-hour advance vessel manifest rule

We examine how the principles of quality management (QM) can be employed to ensure maritime security for liner shipping companies (LSCs), and emphasize the interface relationships between the regulatory framework and the QM system, which appear to be overlooked in both theory and practice. This article suggests a conceptual framework for managing quality in the context of the new maritime security regime. We illustrate the application of this framework with an LSC using a ten-step approach to ensure regulatory compliance and quality conformance with the 24-Hour Advance Vessel Manifest Rule so that the legal requirements, as well as the operational and service goals, can be fully met. The article also provides procedural mechanisms and guidelines for LSCs and other maritime interests contemplating the implementation of maritime security with quality in view of similar undertakings.