2024 Maritime Safety Report Highlights Decline in Distress Calls and Urges Data-Driven Improvements

The 2024 edition of The Future of Maritime Safety Report by Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, highlights 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 activated 788 times, remaining close to the six-year average of 799 calls per year. This data underscores the ongoing challenges in maritime safety and the necessity for continued improvements in the industry.

The report indicates that the maritime sector is starting to overcome operational obstacles linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, such as limited inspections and disrupted maintenance schedules. However, with the rise of potential safety risks associated with future fuels and escalating geopolitical tensions, the industry must enhance efforts to address preventable safety issues and ensure a smooth transition to more sustainable practices.

Inmarsat Maritime’s Future of Maritime Safety report not only presents current safety metrics but also calls for the maritime industry to embrace data sharing and collaborative problem-solving. The report suggests anonymising casualty and incident data to address concerns related to confidentiality and reputational damage, while also recommending the establishment of standard data points for monitoring and reporting safety incidents. By leveraging anonymised safety data and modern technology, the industry can identify trends, develop mitigation measures, and enhance overall safety for ships and crews.

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