Shipping safer than ever, despite risks such as zombie ships

The year 2024 entered the books in the maritime sector as the safest year yet. Only 27 ships worldwide were lost as "total losses," the lowest number ever measured. This is according to the latest edition of an annual safety report. Remarkably, more than a third of these losses consisted of fishing vessels. Only one container ship went down, as in each of the past five years.

Figures confirm that international safety measures continue to show effect. Where hundreds of ships were lost every year before 2000, that number dropped to 105 in 2015. Since then, a new record low has been set almost every year. For example, no bulk carrier was lost for the third year in a row, and the offshore sector also remained free of loss.

Yet there are also concerns. The total number of shipping incidents just increased from 2,963 to 3,310. More than half involved engine failures, followed by collisions. Fires increased 20% to 250 cases - the highest number in a decade.

Moreover, recent incidents, such as the sinking of the "MSC Elsa 3" off India, were once again in the news. This ship, 28 years old, reflects a broader trend: most crashed ships average 29 years old. Extreme weather also played a role in at least seven total losses last year.

In addition, geopolitical tensions remain a concern. Consider the use of so-called "shadow ships" that try to circumvent sanctions, often without proper insurance or maintenance. Even more troublesome are "gray fleet" vessels - seemingly legitimate, but possibly involved in suspicious practices.

And then there are the “zombie ships”: vessels operating under the names of ships that were previously scrapped and involved in, for example, oil trade with Venezuela.
In short, although maritime safety has improved significantly, vigilance remains essential.