Costa Concordia was biggest loss as report finds human error is biggest challenge
The number of ship losses worldwide in the 12 months to 25 November 2012 increased to 106 from 91 ships the previous year, according to a new report by Allianz.
The figures represents a 27% decrease on the 10-year average of 146 ships per year, however.
The report said: “Despite this long-term downward trend, driven by technology, training and regulation and a proactive response from the shipping industry to safety improvement, human error remains the core challenge.”
The year was remembered for the Costa Concordia disaster, which sunk off Italy on 13 January, and was the largest loss of the year at 114,137 gross tonnes.
This was followed by the Rabaul Queen ferry, off Papua New Guinea on 2 February. Both incidents caused multiple fatalities.
According to the report, foundering (sinking or submerging) was the most common cause of losses in the past year (49%), followed by wrecking or running aground (22%). Collisions, such as that involving the Baltic Ace and Corvus J in early December 2012, accounted for a relatively small number of losses (6%).
No comments yet