Ageing fleet means more incidents, DNV warns
DNV’s new report shows maritime casualty incidents surged by 42% from 2018 to 2024, while the global fleet grew by only 10%. The increase is linked mainly to ageing ships and machinery damage, with vessels over 25 years old involved in 41% of all incidents. Machinery failure alone accounted for 60% of cases in 2024.
DNV Maritime CEO Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen (pictured) called for urgent safety upgrades, maintenance, and seafarer support. Fire and explosion cases rose by 42% over four years, while war-related incidents jumped from 12 in 2023 to 51 in 2024.
On the upside, accidents from collisions, groundings and sinkings dropped by 26% since 2014. DNV’s Øystein Goksøyr urged a balanced approach to new tech and human factors. The findings were released this week at Nor-Shipping 2025 in Oslo. (ah)