INTERCARGO has submitted its latest Bulk Carrier Casualty Report to the Sub-Committee on IMO Instruments (III 8), convening at the end of the month. The report identified that liquefaction continues to be the greatest contributor to loss of life in the bulk sector. In the last ten years, the lives of 70 seafarers were lost as a result of five bulk carrier casualties, four carrying nickel ore and one carrying bauxite. While liquefaction accounted for only 18.5% of the 27 total vessel casualties in this period, it was the cause of 76.1% of the loss of life. Groundings are the most common reported cause of bulk carrier losses from 2012 to 2021 representing 48.1% of total losses.
The Report highlighted that not only were IMSBC Code requirements not being followed, especially in relation to testing and certification of cargo condition, but that there was also lack of adequate assessment and monitoring of the condition of cargoes being loaded in the cargo holds by representatives of all interests.
