By
Alice Chambers |
The maritime industry is becoming increasingly safer. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports that while worldwide cruise ship capacity grew by more than 55 per cent from 2009 to 2018, the number of operational incidents decreased by 37 per cent during the same period. CLIA suggests this is thanks to crew member training, constant improvements carried out by shipowners, and adherence to precautions and strict regulations.
Every ship has to be built, equipped and operated in accordance with the international maritime treaty known as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Originally written for steel ships plying the North Atlantic in winter in 1914 after the Titanic disaster in 1912, SOLAS has since been updated on multiple occasions – in 1929, 1948, 1960, 1974 and so on – to set minimum standards for the safe construction, equipment and operation of all ships.
Despite passenger ship operators following these conventions, they still have to deal with ongoing risks. For example, cruise operations can be significantly affected by unpredictable weather events, with brands often opting to change itineraries to protect passengers and crew in these instances. In July 2024, for instance, Royal Caribbean International cancelled multiple stops at the island of Roatán in the Caribbean due to the impact of the Category 5 Hurricane Beryl, while MSC Cruises redirected MSC World Europa from its planned stopover in Malta due to hazardous wind conditions in Valletta’s Grand Harbour. The ship’s captain diverted the ship from Malta because there was potential for the wind to exceed 30 knots, which would have rendered manoeuvres at the port unsafe.
“The ultimate decision to enter port remains with the master of the vessel, who may consider cancelling the call subject to the circumstances of the case if he deems it unsafe to enter port,” said the Malta transport ministry.
The Category 5 Hurricane Beryl hit the Caribbean in late June and early July 2024
In some cases, such as with hurricanes, the captain knows at least a day in advance if the scheduled route will be unsafe for passengers. This is because they can use identification systems, electronic nautical charts, e-navigation and hydrographic data to track information about sea conditions and the status of navigational channels.
A lot of cruise lines are also impacted by geopolitical situations and redirect their ships to prevent being caught up in these issues too. Recent examples include the ongoing unrest in the Middle East where Marella Cruises, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruises and more have opted to re-route their Red Sea itineraries to avoid the conflict.
Similarly, ferry lines simulate and compare voyage plans to avoid sailing in challenging waters. Tuomas Häkkinen, account director of safety solutions at NAPA, discussed the importance of real-time stability and voyage monitoring for onboard and onshore operations during a presentation at the 2023 Interferry annual conference. He highlighted the need for adaptable weight distribution planning for ‘unknown cargo’ onboard ferries and the importance of using data to predict, test and plan ahead for voyage optimisation. This emphasis on proactive planning and data utilisation is particularly crucial given the persistent safety challenges in the maritime industry.
Onboard fires also present a key safety issue for passenger shipping operators. The Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2024 found that there were 205 reported fire incidents during 2023 alone, the second highest total for a decade and the fourth leading cause of all shipping incidents.
To prevent fires and the threat to life, scale of damage and severe repair costs they can lead to, cruise and ferry companies employ a range of protection systems. They include passive fire- and smoke-fighting measures, fire dampers, ventilation systems, and fire-rated interior doors and partitions that will contain a fire until a vessel can get to a port.
Despite the rigorous international standards set by SOLAS to ensure maritime safety, ferry accidents continue to occur at alarming rates in some regions of the world. Africa is home to the highest number of ferry fatalities in the world. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Senegal and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there were collectively over 12,000 domestic ferry fatalities between 2000 and 2021, according to the 2023 World Maritime report Safety of domestic ferries: A scoping study of seven high-risk countries.
Various factors have a direct impact on safe ferry operations, including ticketing and passenger counting, vessel design and classification, insurance and financing, management culture, technical management, and political will. All of these topics were discussed in detail at the Africa Ferry Safety Seminar in April 2024, which was co-hosted by Interferry, IMO and regulatory authority Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation. The event focused on overcrowding and overloading, which are significant problems in developing countries that put passenger safety at risk.
“This event represents a vital step forward in prioritising ferry safety across Africa,” said Mike Corrigan, CEO of Interferry. “The collaborative spirit and commitment from all attendees were truly inspiring. Together, we can address existing challenges and build a safer future for African ferry operations.”
See a selection of solutions and services developed by companies to help cruise and ferry operators improve safety onboard their ships as featured in the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review.
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed. Subscribe for FREE to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox.