Thirty-nine bulkers with 173 seafarers were lost over the past decade, according to figures produced by dry bulk industry association Intercargo.
Its latest Bulk Carrier Casualty Report cited cargo shift and liquefaction as one of the greatest concerns for the safe carriage of dry bulk.
Suspected cargo failure was the likely cause of eight bulker casualties that led to 106 seafarers losing their lives between 2010 and 2019.
The industry lobby is critical of the time taken to produce safety reports into the causes of the losses. On average, a report would become available 32 months after the incident.
“The industry finds it difficult to accept that only 24, or about 62%, of a total of 39 bulk carrier losses had their investigation reports made available on the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System database at the end of January 2020,” Intercargo said.
Cast a shadow
The disappearance of the 52,400-dwt Nur Allya (built 2002) last August is listed as the only blemish on Intercargo’s 2019 casualty report, which is based on available reports of total losses and constructive total losses.
The Indonesian-flagged supramax, which is owned by PT Gurita Lintas Samudera, was reported to be carrying nickel ore when it disappeared in August 2019 with a crew of 25 seafarers.
The loss followed no bulker casualties in 2018 and “cast a shadow over the industry’s excellent safety performance”, Intercargo said.
“This incident alone clearly demonstrates there is no room for complacency, and Intercargo calls for a prompt and thorough investigation into this tragic loss.”
“It is only through effective root cause analysis that appropriate corrective actions can be put in place to ensure that such an accident never happens again.”
Cargo failure and liquefaction continue to be a major concern, with eight casualties leading to the loss of 106 lives over the past decade.
These comprised six bulkers carrying nickel ore from Indonesia, one vessel loaded with laterite — or clay iron ore — containing a high moisture content from Malaysia, and one vessel with bauxite from Malaysia.
Intercargo welcomed the amendment to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC 05-19), which will enter into force in next January.
This incorporates lessons learned from the loss of the 56,000-dwt Bulk Jupiter (built 2006) which was carrying a cargo of bauxite.
