SHIP LOSSES UP - CREWING STANDARDS DOWN?

摘要

According to the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI), there has been a dramatic increase in the number of ship total and partial losses, and the upward trend looks likely to continue. New statistics released by IUMI, which represents marine underwriters worldwide, indicate that the total figure for the year 2006 year has jumped from an early estimate of 67 to 92 (all figures relate to ships of 500gt and over), an increase of 37%. So far reported in 2007 are 82 total losses (compared to 67 for 2006 at the same point). If reports increase at the same level as 2006, says IUMI, by March 2009 the total will be 112. The downward trend of total losses over recent years, therefore, will be sharply arrested. There has been an equally dramatic increase in major serious or partial losses, IUMI adds, with 727 serious incidents reported for 2006, a 6% increase since the last report, and a staggering 914 so far for 2007. This is a 270% increase in one decade, 1998-2008.