Page 16 - INTERCARGO - Annual Report Report 2022 - 2023

INDUSTRY TOPICS
ANNUAL REVIEW

Investigation of incidents For more information on this topic please visit:
https://www.intercargo.org/topics/cargoes-liquefaction/

Dry bulk ships are at the very heart of global trade. There is a clear trend
of improved safety and declining ship losses at a time of fleet growth.
Improved safety is largely thanks to constant learning, better crew

training, improved ship design, new technology and stronger regulatory
compliance. Sadly, major incidents involving loss of life still occur: there
is no room for complacency.

INTERCARGO is determined to help lead the response to
these events, working with its members and industry stake-
holders, to do all possible to learn and protect the lives of
the brave men and women who crew bulk carriers.
Every year, the INTERCARGO Bulk Carrier Casualty Report
provides an analysis of casualty statistics covering the pre-
vious 10 years. During the 10-year period from 2013 to 2022,
it was reported that 26 bulk carriers over 10,000 deadweight
tonnage (dwt) were lost, resulting in the death of 104 seafar-
ers. An analysis of these incidents highlights cargo liquefac-
tion and groundings as the major causes.

Ship loss statistics between 2013 and 2022 suggest a clear
improvement in terms of the number of annual losses of
bulk carriers versus the total number of bulk carriers in the
global fleet. The bulk carrier industry has seen a welcome
long-term positive safety trend in recent years.
However, there is no room for complacency, the indus-
try should constantly seek to improve cargo safety and safe
navigation, to avoid cargo liquefaction and ship grounding.
Timely and accurate flag state reports of casualties are vi-
tal. Ultimately, existing SOLAS, MARPOL, LOADLINE, IMS-
BC Codes and Conventions should be modified if it can be
clearly shown that crew lives can be saved.

It is the intention of INTERCARGO to continue to work tire-
lessly with all stakeholders in order to improve bulk carri-
er safety and to strive for zero losses of seafarers and zero
losses of dry bulk ships.

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