Survey Seeks Answers Behind Ongoing Enclosed-Space Fatalities

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Despite strengthened safety regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), fatal accidents in enclosed shipboard spaces continue to rise. In 2023 alone, 14 incidents led to 34 deaths—nearly double the previous year’s toll. Bulk carriers accounted for 41% of these cases, with most fatalities occurring in cargo holds and access areas. Oxygen depletion, often caused by poor ventilation and inadequate risk assessments, remains the leading cause.

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The IMO’s updated rules mandate enhanced training, hazard identification, ship-specific registers, and structured emergency response plans. Only trained and authorized personnel are now permitted to enter enclosed spaces, and ships must maintain detailed records of potential hazards. Despite these measures, the number of annual incidents has remained largely unchanged since 1998.

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In response, InterManager, in collaboration with The Nautical Institute and IMarEST, has launched a global survey to gather firsthand insights from seafarers and maritime professionals. The primary goal behind behind the survey is to identify practical barriers to safety implementation and inform future industry action plans.

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Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of InterManager, emphasizes the urgency: “Despite the rules, people are still dying in confined spaces at sea. We need to hear from those on the front line.”

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