INTERCARGO Highlights Safety Gains in Bulk Carrier Sector

INTERCARGO - the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners - has reported encouraging progress in bulk carrier safety, with vessel losses and fatalities associated with the sector declining over the last decade. 

The association has reported its findings in its Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2025 which identified the loss of 20 bulk carriers (>10,000 dwt) between 2015 and 2024. These losses resulted in 89 seafarer fatalities. 

The report highlighted a number of ongoing issues, including: 

• Groundings remaining the leading cause of vessel losses, responsible for 45% of all cases. 
• Cargo liquefaction continuing to pose the greatest threat to life, being responsible for 55 deaths (more than 60% of the total fatalities during this period). 
• Cargo shifting (as distinct from liquefaction) resulting in the loss of two ships and 12 lives. 

Aside from these issues, INTERCARGO has shone a light on security concerns in its report. 2024 alone saw three separate attacks on bulk carriers in the Red Sea - Rubymay, True Confidence and Tutor - which were attacked by missiles, drones and uncrewed surface vessels. Unfortunately, these attacks resulted in the loss of four lives. 

The Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2025 also emphasises the progress made in reducing vessel losses over time. Indeed, bulk carrier losses now average just two per year, with a notable decline in average fatalities per casualty over successive 10-year periods. The report suggests that these gains can largely be attributed to improved ship design, better crew training, and stronger regulatory frameworks. 

Nevertheless, INTERCARGO has called out the risks that remain, including risks derived from: 

• Improperly declared cargoes.
• Navigational failures.
• Delays in the submission of accident investigation reports by flag states. 

Commenting on the report and its findings, John Xylas, the Chairman of INTERCARGO, said: 

“The dry bulk sector should take pride in the improved safety performance reflected in this year’s report. But the unacceptable attacks on merchant ships in 2024 have reminded us that safety today extends beyond seamanship and regulatory compliance; it is fundamentally about protecting human life. Seafarers must never be placed in harm’s way for simply doing their jobs”.

With more than 12,500 bulk carriers in service globally and demand for dry cargo trade continuing to grow, INTERCARGO has used the release of this new report to once again call for an industry commitment to achieving zero loss of life and zero loss of ships.

Are your bulk carriers being run safely, compliantly and efficiently? 

If you can’t answer that question with confidence, then you need to speak to Brookes Bell today. 

Our Master Mariners and cargo scientists can work with you to improve your operations and processes, assess your bridge management and more. 

Explore Master Mariner and cargo science consultancy services at Brookes Bell now

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