Germany’s Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) issued its annual report recording a slight increase in marine casualties in 2018, but most incidents involved only material damage. There were no major disasters involving German flagged ships or in German waters last year.
Key figures
- The total number of reports has increased by more than 10% year-on-year (516 in 2017 compared to 577 in 2018), due to an increased awareness of hazards.
- There was a sharp decrease in the number of Less Serious Marine Casualties (with only one collision in 2018) but an increase in Very Serious Marine Casualties.
- The number of merchant ships under German flag fell in 2018 with only 302 ships now flying the German flag.
- Accidents in the Kiel canal decreased.
- Fewer marine casualties occurred on German-flagged merchant ships and fishing vessels in 2018 than in the two previous years.
- Accidents in the recreational craft sector have been falling for years. 2018 is historically low with only one fatal incident in this category.
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