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The total number of accidents in 2020 decreased by 18% compared to 2019. This is stated in the “Preliminary Annual Review of Maritime Accidents and Incidents” from 2014 to 2020 from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). This overview contains statistics on marine casualties and incidents: involving ships flying the flag of one of the EU Member States; in the territorial waters or internal waters of the Member States of the EU, as defined in UNCLOS; or that affect other essential interests of the EU member states. The positive dynamics in this direction is explained in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the intensity of global shipping.

Thus, the most positive changes were recorded in the number of deaths (a 48% decrease in 2020 compared to 2019) and the number of injured people (a 36% decrease). As emphasized in EMSA. In addition, in the period from 2019 to 2020, the number of accidents involving all types of ships decreased, and the leaders in this indicator are cargo (15%) and passenger ships (44%).

Navigational accidents (collisions, groundings and touchdowns) accounted for the largest proportion of incidents resulting in ship deaths – 43%. At the same time, a 15% decrease in the number of accidents resulting in the death of ships was noted. According to the survey, human accidents accounted for 37% of all maritime accidents. Compared to 2019, their number fell by 28%. In 2020, 7 vessels became victims of marine accidents, of which 5 are fishing.

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