- At least 1,010 ship and shore workers died in enclosed spaces between 2000–2024, averaging 40 fatalities a year.
- Tankers recorded the highest number of deaths, with explosions and toxic gases the leading causes
- Despite a downward trend in 2024, smaller vessels and repair environments remain high-risk zones.
A new consolidated analysis by Vistrato, drawing on data originally submitted by the International Bulk Terminals Association (IBTA) to the IMO, has revealed the full scale of fatalities in enclosed spaces aboard SOLAS-covered ships.
Across 2000–2024, at least 1,010 workers, both crew and shore staff, lost their lives while entering cargo holds, tanks, void spaces, and other confined areas.
The findings show an average of 40 deaths per year, with 2019 standing out as the worst year on record, recording 72 fatalities.
Where the Risks Are Highest
The analysis shows a clear pattern:
- Tankers accounted for the most fatalities (402 deaths)
- Bulk carriers followed with 308 deaths
- General cargo ships recorded 134 deaths
- Other ship types, including containerships, offshore vessels, Ro-Ros, and reefers, saw comparatively fewer but still concerning numbers
Smaller ships also featured disproportionately in the data, often due to gas leakage from cargo spaces into accommodation blocks, ballast tanks, and technical rooms.
Tankers: The Most Dangerous Sector
When examining tankers specifically, the risks become even clearer.
Over 45% of tanker fatalities occurred during tank cleaning, mostly due to explosions inside cargo tanks. Shore workers were most at risk during shipyard repair work, which accounted for 25% of tanker-related deaths.
Key tanker findings:
- 249 cargo-related deaths (233 crew, 16 shore workers)
- 153 non-cargo-related deaths (mostly during repairs and hot work)
- 62% due to explosions/fires, 31% due to toxic gases, 5% due to physical hazards
- Most fatalities occurred in cargo tanks, pumprooms, ballast tanks, and workspaces in the forecastle
- Small and coastal tankers showed the highest vulnerability
What’s Killing Workers in Enclosed Spaces?
Across all vessel types, the root causes are consistent and often preventable:
- 46% — Asphyxiation due to oxygen depletion or toxic gas
- 36% — Explosions and fires
- 18% — Physical hazards (mainly falls)
Bulk carriers showed a particularly high rate of toxic gas deaths (65%), while flammable-atmosphere explosions dominated tankers.
A Downward Trend, but Not Enough
The last five years (2020–2024) recorded 250 fatalities, averaging 50 per year, but 2024 shows glimmers of improvement with only 29 deaths reported so far.
Even so, the numbers highlight a long-standing safety gap, especially during:
- Tank cleaning
- Hot work
- Repairs in shipyards
- Routine inspections in poorly ventilated spaces
The report reinforces a familiar but still critical message: training, atmosphere testing, ventilation, and entry control remain the most effective defences against enclosed-space accidents.
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Source: Safety4Sea
