INTERCARGO: Seafarers work safer on bulk carriers

A decade of INTERCARGO research indicates that the work of officers and seafarers is becoming increasingly safer. Between 2016 and 2025, 17 bulk carriers of 10,000 tons or more sank worldwide. Seventy-one seafarers died in these disasters.

During the same period, the global bulk carrier fleet grew to 13,669 ships by the end of 2025, according to the latest report by the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, “Bulk Carrier Casualty Report: Years 2016 to 2025 and Trends 2026.”

INTERCARGO estimates that three bulk carriers were lost in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in 2024, and two more ships were lost in 2025. Eight seafarers were lost, and missile and drone attacks injured numerous crew members. The Houthis, who use missiles, drones, and unmanned boats, are the main culprits behind the losses.

We also recall the terrorist attack on a ship carried out using helicopters. In the report “Bulk Carrier Casualty Report: Years 2016 to 2025 and Trends 2026,” INTERCARGO “strongly condemns all attacks on bulk carriers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (GOA) region, which directly violate the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.”

Source: Review of Maritime Transport 2025: Staying the course in turbulent waters (UNCTAD/RMT/2025) – 24 Sep 2025

In early 2026, the bulk carrier industry was devastated by the loss of the 56,000 DWT bulk carrier Devon Bay, built in 2013 (IMO no. 9622849). Two seafarers lost their lives, and four are still missing. At the time of the incident, the ship was carrying a cargo of nickel ore, the report’s authors note. Today, the threat of war adds an additional dimension to the assessment of the safety of ships carrying bulk cargo. In addition to the dangerous situations in the Black Sea, threats of attacks have been added in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

It should be added that bulk carriers are often covering increasingly longer routes, and the ships are performing greater transport work in ton-miles. The threat of attacks on the approaches to the Suez Canal and periodic restrictions on passage through the Panama Canal are lengthening ship routes between ports. This increases the burden on crews, not only those working on bulk carriers.

Monthly bulk carrier loadings in the EU from 2022 to 2026 to 500,000 tons. Source: Banchero Costa Research

Fatalities on bulk carriers

“Liquefaction of cargoes continues to pose the most serious hazard, accounting for 37 of the 71 fatalities,” reports INTERCARGO. This represents more than half of all fatalities during the period covered by the statistics. Losses were high, although only four ships with a capacity of 50,000-59,999 tons were lost.

These accidents resulted in 37 fatalities, largely reflecting the hazards associated with nickel ore and other cargoes that can liquefy. This refers to the fact that during sea passage, nickel ore liquefies under unfavorable circumstances.

This is a process in which a seemingly dry bulk cargo liquefies, often taking the form of liquid mud. In unfavorable conditions (e.g., storms or crosswinds), cargo shifts. When a ship loses stability, it can sink.

Grounding is one of the leading causes of ship losses. During the period under review, seven of the 17 total bulk carrier losses were recorded. Flooding of a bulk carrier’s cargo hold resulted in a tragedy in which four seafarers lost their lives.

Training and enforcement are important

In the report’s conclusions, Intercargo emphasizes the need for full implementation of the International Solid Bulk Cargo Code (IMSBC). The organization calls for further improvements in cargo composition verification and declaration. The need for effective enforcement of regulations by flag and port states is once again emphasized.

Emphasis is placed on the need to improve the training of ship crews and port and company employees responsible for cargo delivery. Accident investigations, once an incident occurs, are essential. The report analyzes the changes taking place in the emergence of new threats to maritime transport.

Dangers for seafarers now arise not only in connection with shipboard maintenance activities. The report also strongly emphasizes threats from terrorists and warfare.

Cargo types carried by Panamax vessels January-June 2026. Source: Banchero Costa Research

Industry Efforts for Safety

“The steady reduction in bulk carrier losses over recent decades reflects the industry’s ongoing efforts to improve safety,” said John Xylas, Chairman of INTERCARGO, during the report’s presentation, according to gCaptain.com. Xylas emphasized that “behind these numbers are real stories, and each incident highlights the importance of learning and working together.”

“The risk environment is no longer defined solely by traditional operational challenges,” Xylas noted, emphasizing: “INTERCARGO will continue to work with its members and partners to translate knowledge into action to accelerate safety improvements.”

With the continued growth of the global dry bulk trade, INTERCARGO stated that maintaining the downward trend in accidents will require continued collaboration between shipowners, charterers, shippers, ports, regulators, and other stakeholders. The report’s findings will help guide the association’s ongoing technical work, including the recently published Guidelines for Ship-to-Ship Transfers for Bulk Carriers.

The International Dry Bulk Carriers Association’s 2026 report states that INTERCARGO attributes improved safety on bulk carriers to advances in ship design, stricter regulatory compliance, improved crew training, operational experience, and the adoption of new technologies on board. However, the report warns that the industry’s greatest safety challenges remain unresolved.