Sharp drop in marine claims in 2023

According to the Safety and Shipping Review 2024 report published by Allianz Commercial, 26 vessels weighing over 100 tonnes were reported missing in 2023. This represents a 37% decrease compared to 2022, and a 71% decrease over a ten-year average. This is an all-time low for the shipping industry.

The total number of marine incidents was also down, from 3 036 in 2022 to 2 951 in 2023.

The South China, Indochina, Indonesia and Philippines region accounted for the highest number of ships lost in 2023. This area is followed by the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea, with a total of 6 losses in 2023.

Analysts believe that maintaining these low levels would be complicated given the various challenges facing the shipping industry: war risks, geopolitical conflicts and climate change.