Page 6 - INTERCARGO - Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2025

INTRODUCTION

INTERCARGO’s annual Bulk Carrier Casualty Following the ceasefire declaration of 19 January
Report examines the safety performance of bulk 2025, INTERCARGO expresses hope for the
carriers over a rolling 10-year period in order to restoration of maritime security in the Red Sea
identify risks and improve safety for seafarers and Gulf of Aden regions, ensuring safe passage
and vessel operations. The new edition of the for civilian vessels both regionally and globally.
Bulk Carrier Casualty Report (2025) reveals
that between 2015 and 2024, 20 bulk carriers Statistics analysis
of more than 10,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt), Initial analysis of the statistics in the 2025 Report
(excluding the loss of three bulk carriers in the reveals some potential safety gaps, such as:
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Red Sea), were reported lost, with the tragic loss • Cargo liquefaction remains the greatest
of 89 seafarers’ lives in the Red Sea. contributor to loss of life, accounting for
55 lives or 61.8% of the total loss of life in
The Red Sea is a critical chokepoint for global the period.
trade, particularly for bulk commodities like • Groundings remain the greatest cause of
grain, coal, and iron ore. Disruptions can have ship losses, with nine losses or 45.0% of
ripple effects on global supply chains. the total number of bulk carrier casualties.
• Cargo shift (not liquefaction) sank two
There were three bulk carrier total loss casual- bulk carriers and cost 12 lives - a concern-
ties, namely Rubymar, True Confidence and ing 13.5% of the total number of lives lost.
Tutor, in the Red Sea as a direct consequence of
missile, drone and drone boat attacks during the
period, causing the loss of four seafarers’ lives.

INTERCARGO strongly condemns all attacks on
bulk carriers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
(GOA) regions which directly contravene the
fundamental principle of freedom of navigation
while expressing deep concern over the tragic
loss of life and injuries suffered by the crews
of merchant ships in over 100 attacks in the
regions in 2024.

The loss of life and injuries to civilian seafarers
is completely unacceptable. Merchant vessels
crewed by civilian seafarers in the service of glob-
al trade should have the right to innocent passage
through the region without the threat of attack.

The significant safety concerns led to difficulties
in recruiting seagoing personnel, impacting bulk
carriers operating in these regions.

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