Shipping accidents are extremely rare and global shipping is safer today than ever before. This is all the more remarkable, given that the total number of ships in operation worldwide, and therefore shipping traffic, has increased significantly.
Annual maritime transport losses are now at their lowest level since the beginning of the 21st century, having fallen from 130 in 2010 to 41 at the end of 2019.
Shipping is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world. National and international organisations work closely together to ensure that ships, ports and seafarers comply with certain safety standards. These include, in particular, regulations for the construction and outfitting of ships, for the training and certification of seafarers, and for the navigation and operation of ships. The introduction of global port state controls and comprehensive flag state inspections and audits have helped make shipping much safer today than in the past.
The first international minimum standards for safety on civilian ships were adopted in 1914 when the SOLAS Convention (Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) took effect in response to the “Titanic” disaster.
The ISM Code – Safety management on board
The International Safety Management Code (ISM Code) is an international set of regulations under SOLAS that sets out measures for managing safe ship operations within a binding framework.
The main objectives of the ISM Code are:
- Safe operational processes on board
- Occupational health and safety
- Avoidance of environmental damage from ship operation
- Avoiding damage to the ship and cargo
Every shipping company that operates ships subject to the requirements of the ISM Code must establish a safety management system in accordance with the above-mentioned objectives. Compliance with and the effectiveness of the system are checked and certified at regular intervals by the respective flag state (or on its behalf). These audits encompass both, shore-based shipping company operations and on-board operations.
The captain is responsible for his or her ship and the people on board. The ship’s command ensures that the safety regulations are complied with on every voyage and that the shipping company’s safety management system is implemented. In addition to adhering to maintenance schedules and reporting any problems or technical defects to the shipping company, this also includes planning and carrying out regular emergency drills, for example evacuation or firefighting.
Should an emergency situation arise, the shipping company will provide all necessary resources to support the ship within the scope of its duties in accordance with the ISM Code.
Checking the technical equipment on board
Just like a car, every ship must be regularly inspected for defects. Every five years, an internationally recognised classification society checks, among other things, whether all safety requirements are met (known as “making class”). A ship that is not fully seaworthy loses its licence and is not allowed to continue sailing. Minor defects that do not jeopardise the safe operation of the ship (so-called conditions of class) must be rectified in good time. There is a follow-up inspection for this, just like a car MOT.
Double control by flag states and ports
The state whose flag a ship flies (the flag state) must check that all the necessary certificates for ship operation are at hand. This includes a valid authorisation by the classification society. German shipowners use high-quality flag states that are known for strict inspections and requirements.
When a ship calls at a port, the authorities of the respective port state have the right to come on board unannounced and check compliance with all applicable regulations – this is known as port state control. In the event of safety-related deficiencies, the authorities can detain the ship until all issues have been rectified.
In addition, every shipping accident is thoroughly investigated by independent experts from the countries involved. The German Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation is responsible for shipping accidents in German waters or on ships flying the German flag. The results are scrutinised by the member states of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Enhanced security measures have been in place on passenger ships since 2015
- Sea rescue drill and detailed safety briefing for all passengers before the ship sets sail
- Prohibition of bridge access during important manoeuvres such as entry and exit or critical passages
- Additional life jackets in public areas and at assembly points
- Additional exercises and load tests on lifeboats by the crew
- Improved voyage planning by the captain and coordination with the shipping company
- Additional exercises on ship handling simulators
- Emergency instructions accounting for language diversity on board
- Regular psychological tests of the ship’s command
