Global shipping safer but subject to human error: Allianz

The safety record of the modern maritime shipping industry has improved dramatically, but the majority of losses are still caused by human error, according to a report by Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.

Allianz noted that marine transport is one of the “safest means of passenger transport overall,” with shipping losses of 1 ship per 670 per year in 2009.

Internationally, the world fleet comprises more than 100,000 ships that transport over 8.4 billion tones of cargo each year,” stated the report, Safety and Shipping 1912-2012: From Titanic to Costa Concordia, which was prepared in conjunction with Cardiff University.

However, human error is estimated to be responsible for between 75% and 96% of marine casualties. “Pressures of competition (often shore-based) and fatigue are frequently cited as significant causes — a particular matter of concern in busy shipping areas such as the Baltic where crews may have little time to rest between periods of duty,” Allianz noted in the report.