Maritime safety studies identify high-risk vessels and forecasting gaps

New research highlights critical gaps in maritime safety and forecasting. A study by ShipIn Systems and marine insurer NorthStandard reveals that just 29% of ships account for nearly 70% of reported maritime accidents. The report indicates a strong correlation between low operational scores and accident frequency, noting that vessels with lower scores recorded accident rates 5.7 times higher than those with higher scores.

Simultaneously, an analysis by Sofar Ocean suggests that standard marine forecasts often fail to predict dangerous vessel rolling and cargo loss. While most forecasts focus on wave height, they frequently overlook wave period and direction. This omission can lead to instability even when wave heights are not extreme. The study cites the December 2025 Baltic Klipper incident, where long-period swells caused cargo loss despite non-extreme wave heights, as a primary example of the risks posed by current forecasting limitations.