Mixed messages in EMSA accident statistics review
The EMSA Marine Operations Centre.
The 2009 Maritime Accident Review published by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has revealed improvements in the general safety record of EU shipping.
This is whilst adding a note of caution pointing to a possible correlation with the global financial crisis and the subsequent slump in shipping requirements over the twelve month period.
This the third of EMSA’s annual reviews, and analyses data on selective and aggregated maritime accidents within the EU, with Norway and Iceland also included for the purpose of the review. The review records a substantial reduction in the number of ships involved in accidents and loss of life during 2009. Accidental pollution, already at historically low levels proved to be the lowest since comparable data was first recorded by EMSA four years ago.
The review does however point out that the rise in accidents during 2007 and 2008 was during a period of boom times for shipping and that the global slump experienced during 2009 and subsequent reduced demand for shipping are factors that have to be taken into account when analysing the data. Due regard however does also have to be given to the heightened activity by EU Member States in their efforts to improve safety and reduce pollution.
EMSA describes the situation eloquently by highlighting the effects of supply overcapacity, high levels of scrapping, lower sailing speeds and a reduction in pressure to meet deadlines as a factor in the reduction in accident numbers. The importance of monitoring developments relating to slow steaming and any subsequent potential increase in engine failures is highlighted together with any deferred maintenance and repairs due to decreases in income for shipowners.
The statistics are broken down into categories of ship type, type of accidents, consequences of accidents and a regional breakdown. The review also includes details of significant individual incidents. Analysis of each category generally follows understandable patterns. For example, increases in ship collisions with infrastructure coinciding with increased ferry sailings during the tourist season. Similarly, the phenomenon of the number of vessels being involved in accidents in the Atlantic and North Sea region being five times that of the Baltic and Approaches, the Mediterranean, and Black Sea regions being due to the former regions’ greater exposure to bad weather and significantly increased levels of shipping movements.
Perspective is provided by pointing out that nearly 21,000 merchant vessels called at EU ports and were involved in nearly 600,000 ship movements during 2009. The review makes interesting reading and without doubt will be an important tool for those across the industry responsible for regulating and operating as safe and clean an industry as is possible. The report can be viewed at www.emsa.europa.eu/
By Peter Barker
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