Urgent Call for Improved Safety Regulations to Prevent Enclosed Space Deaths

The Maritime Professional Council of the United Kingdom (MPC) has expressed deep concern over the high number of deaths occurring in enclosed spaces within the shipping industry. InterManager, a member of the MPC, has been advocating for changes in ship operation and design to address this issue. Enclosed compartments, cargo holds, and fuel tanks have tragically become dangerous areas for seafarers due to a lack of regulation and safety measures. In 2023 alone, there were 31 known deaths in enclosed spaces on vessels, prompting calls for industry-wide collaboration to improve safety in these critical areas.

InterManager has been recording incidents of enclosed space fatalities on behalf of the shipping community, revealing that since 1996, 310 individuals, including seafarers and shore personnel, have lost their lives in these areas. Captain Kuba Szymanski, InterManager’s secretary general, criticized the ineffectiveness of regulations introduced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2011 to prevent such accidents. He emphasized the need for a unified approach to safety within the industry, highlighting the flawed design of enclosed spaces, particularly cargo hold access arrangements.

To address the issue of enclosed space deaths, a pan-maritime industry group was formed this year, holding Joint Industry Workshop meetings to discuss potential solutions. The group aims to provide a unified voice on this critical issue and has conducted a holistic review of contributory factors across operational, commercial, technical, and training functions. The workshops have resulted in a roadmap for action to prevent enclosed space fatalities, with plans for ongoing progress reviews and development of specific outputs. The group is actively gathering information on enclosed space accidents, emphasizing the importance of data collection to inform future safety measures.

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