Fewer accidents in the Baltic marine area
In 2009, a total of 105 accidents took place in the Baltic marine area, down 22 per cent compared to 2008, according to the latest Helcom statistics. Almost all the accidents occurred very close to shore or in harbours. The most common type was grounding, accounting for 38 cases. Collisions were the second most frequent type of shipping accidents in the Baltic, accounting for 34 incidents, compared to 41 cases in 2008 and 54 cases in 2006. This includes collisions with vessels, fixed or floating structures, e.g. piers, navigation signs, etc. There were only six ship-to-ship collisions, and the number has decreased by 80 per cent since 2005.
53 per cent of all collisions took place in the southwestern Baltic.
Source: Shipping Gazette