7.6% Decline in GMDSS Distress Calls in 2023

The 2024 edition of The Future of Maritime Safety Report by Inmarsat Maritime reveals a 7.6% decrease in Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) distress calls in 2023 compared to the previous year. Despite this decline, the service was still triggered 788 times, remaining close to the six-year average of 799 calls per year. Inmarsat emphasizes that this statistic highlights the ongoing challenges in maritime safety and the necessity for real improvements in the industry.

The report underscores that while there may be fewer total losses per year, the number of GMDSS distress signals remains consistently high at 799 per year over a six-year average. Data sharing mechanisms are deemed essential for stakeholders to pool data and enhance safety measures. The maritime industry should focus on developing standard data points to monitor and report, such as casualties, incidents, injuries or deaths at sea, and near misses.

As the maritime industry begins to overcome operational challenges linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, the report highlights the emergence of potential new safety risks associated with future fuels and escalating geopolitical tensions. Tankers led the distress call statistics in 2023 for the sixth consecutive year, followed by bulk carriers and other dry cargo vessels. The industry must intensify its efforts to mitigate preventable safety issues and prioritize the development of safety measures to ensure seafarer welfare and successful transitions to more sustainable practices.

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