Page 16 - INTERCARGO - Annual Review 2023-2024

INDUSTRY TOPICS

Investigation

of incidents

Dry bulk ships are at the very heart of global trade, transporting iron ore, steel,
coal, cement and grains. As the statistics of the INTERCARGO Bulk Carrier
Casualty Report 2024 demonstrates, 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. However, very sadly, major
incidents involving loss of life have occurred and we must pay close attention
to the causes explained in this report-there is no room for complacency.

Enhancement of safety awareness for
personnel both onboard and ashore is
a priority to reduce and remove safety
gaps. Reviewing the past decade, a sig-
nificant contributing factor to the safety
performance of bulk carriers is the devel-
opment and implementation of new inter-
national rules and regulations and, as a
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)
within the International Maritime Organ-
ization (IMO), INTERCARGO has played
its part in the development of this legis-
lation. The application of new technology
to improve ship design and building and
the introduction of new materials has also
played its part.

While these improvements are encour-
aging, any loss of life remains tragic. The
shipping industry must maintain unwa-
As the voice of the dry bulk sector, ous 10 years. During the 10-year period vering vigilance and continue to learn
INTERCARGO is determined to help from 2014 to 2023, it was reported that from every incident and the findings of
lead the response to these events. We 21 bulk carriers over 10,000 deadweight this report.
are working with our members, including tonnage (dwt) were lost, resulting in the
ship owners and industry stakeholders, death of 89 seafarers. These losses were It is the intention of INTERCARGO to
to do all we can to learn and protect the primarily due to cargo liquefaction and continue to work tirelessly with all stake-
lives of the brave men and women who groundings as the major causes, high- holders in order to improve bulk carri-
crew bulk carriers. Dry bulk ships are at lighting critical areas for industry focus. er safety and ultimately to strive for ze-
the very heart of global trade, transporting ro losses of seafarers and zero losses of
iron ore, steel, coal, cement and grains. Ship loss statistics between 2014 and dry bulk ships every year.
We must learn how best to protect the 2023 suggest a clear improvement in
safety of seafarers, and the vessels and terms of the number of annual loss-
their cargo, from damage and loss. es of bulk carriers versus the total num-
ber of bulk carriers in the global fleet. For more information on this topic
Every year, the INTERCARGO Bulk Carri- This positive trend demonstrates the in- please visit:
er Casualty Report provides an analysis dustry’s commitment to enhanced safe- https://www.intercargo.org/topics/
of casualty statistics covering the previ- ty protocols and regulatory compliance. incidents/

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