EMSA: Annual Overview of Marine Casualties and Incidents 2026

October 17 ------ The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has published its Annual Overview of Marine Casualties and Incidents 2026, providing a decade-long assessment of maritime safety based on data recorded between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2025.

According to EMSA, a total of 26,802 marine casualties and incidents were recorded during the 2016–2025 period. In 2025, the number of reported occurrences stood at 2,630, approximately 2% below the ten-year annual average. These included 52 very serious casualties, among the lowest annual totals recorded over the period.

The incidents reported in 2025 resulted in 29 fatalities, 813 injuries, five missing persons and the loss of 16 ships. While the number of lives lost fell to its lowest annual level in the decade under review, the number of injured persons remained comparatively high, highlighting the continued human impact of maritime accidents.

The report draws on occurrences recorded in the European Marine Casualty Information Platform (EMCIP) by the safety investigation authorities of the 27 EU Member States, Iceland and Norway. It places the figures for 2025 in the context of trends observed over the preceding ten years.

Cargo and passenger ships account for the largest share of occurrences

Cargo ships accounted for the largest share of marine casualties and incidents recorded over the 2016–2025 period, followed by passenger ships. At subtype level, solid-cargo ships represented approximately 38% of all occurrences, while conventional passenger ships and passenger/Ro-Ro cargo ships combined accounted for around 23%.

Ship age distribution varies by vessel type

The age profile of ships involved in reported occurrences was distributed across several age groups. Vessels aged 15–29 years formed the largest group among ships of known age, accounting for approximately 39% of occurrences over the 2016–2025 period. Their share rose to 45.5% in 2025.

Ships younger than ten years also represented a substantial proportion of occurrences. However, the age distribution varied by vessel type, with older ships more prominent among incidents involving fishing vessels and passenger ships.

Cargo and passenger ships account for the largest share of occurrences

Cargo ships accounted for the largest share of marine casualties and incidents recorded over the 2016–2025 period, followed by passenger ships. At subtype level, solid-cargo ships represented approximately 38% of all occurrences, while conventional passenger ships and passenger/Ro-Ro cargo ships combined accounted for around 23%.

Ship age distribution varies by vessel type

The age profile of ships involved in reported occurrences was distributed across several age groups. Vessels aged 15–29 years formed the largest group among ships of known age, accounting for approximately 39% of occurrences over the 2016–2025 period. Their share rose to 45.5% in 2025.

Ships younger than ten years also represented a substantial proportion of occurrences. However, the age distribution varied by vessel type, with older ships more prominent among incidents involving fishing vessels and passenger ships.

Most occurrences recorded in internal waters

Marine casualties and incidents in 2025 were concentrated in areas of substantial maritime activity. Internal waters accounted for 52% of recorded occurrences, followed by territorial seas at 23% and the high seas at 21%.

These figures reflect the geographical distribution of reported occurrences rather than the relative risk associated with each area. Assessing geographical risk would require additional information on maritime activity and exposure, including vessel movements and time spent at sea.

Loss of control among the most frequent ship-related events

Loss of control, particularly the loss of propulsion power, was the most frequently recorded detailed ship-related casualty event over the 2016–2025 period. Other recurring events included collisions, contact, equipment damage or loss, grounding or stranding, flooding or foundering, and fire or explosion.

Person-related casualty events were most commonly associated with falls, body movement and loss of control involving machinery, equipment or transport. The findings highlight the range of operational and human factors involved in maritime casualties.

Human action identified as the leading factor in finalized investigations

Investigation-derived findings provide a separate perspective on maritime safety, as not all reported occurrences undergo investigation and some investigations, particularly those relating to recent events, may remain incomplete.

Among 914 finalized investigations, Human Action accounted for approximately 64% of classified Accident Events, while system and equipment failure represented around 23%. Identified contributing factors included crew resource management, personnel and manning, maintenance, procedures and organizational issues.

Over the same ten-year period, investigations resulted in 1,316 safety recommendations, with 1,066 recorded actions taken. These addressed a range of areas, including operational procedures, training, communication, safety management, regulatory compliance and equipment reliability.

Shore assistance and emergency response patterns

Emergency-assistance patterns recorded in 2025 were broadly consistent with those observed over the preceding decade. Approximately 74% of ship records did not involve shore assistance, while search and rescue intervention was recorded in 9% and towage in 19%.

Oil-pollution response measures were activated in 27 occurrences during 2025, highlighting the environmental response dimension of maritime incidents alongside efforts to protect life and vessels.

Casualty ratios differ across ship types

The report’s contextual ratios reveal differing profiles across vessel categories. Passenger ships recorded comparatively high fleet-based occurrence and injury ratios, while cargo ships had the highest average fleet-based fatality ratio. Fishing vessels recorded the highest severity-profile ratio.

EMSA cautions that these ratios should not be interpreted as direct comparisons of operational risk or safety performance. The indicators do not fully account for differences in exposure between ship types, such as the number of voyages, time spent at sea, distance travelled or number of persons carried.

Such factors are essential for placing casualty statistics in context and drawing meaningful conclusions about maritime safety.

Source: safety4sea.com