Apart from the number of fatalities, there has been a steady positive trend in the recorded number of personnel accidents over the last five years. The preliminary figures for 2013 indicate that the number of registered accidents will be just below the average for the five year period, with 252 registered incidents. A large majority of these are due to falls on board the vessel, or impact and crush injuries.

 - Compared to 2009, the number of fatalities is reduced from 23 to eight, which is a very positive development. With the exception of 2012, we have experienced a steady decline in the number of personnel injuries. The fact that this trend continues, underlines the importance of continually enforcing positive attitudes towards safety and taking preventive measures, says Director General of Shipping and Navigation, Olav Akselsen.

However, while there is a positive development for personnel injuries, the number of shipping accidents and incidents has gone up. Much of the increase is due to contact damage with high speed craft and ferries, but statistics also show more cases of fire than previously.

- It is worrying to see such a marked increase in accidents involving passenger ships, even though many of the recorded incidents are less serious contact damage with quays. However, the development in cases of fire is a cause for concern, says Mr Akselsen.

Analysis of accident trends forms the basis for the Authority's focus areas, which in 2014 will be directed towards fire.
- We see that in 2012 and 2013, there has been an increase in various cases of fire aboard several types of ships. Based on a comprehensive assessment, we find it appropriate to take measures to try to prevent this, says Mr Akselsen.

Although safety on board is the ship owner's responsibility, according to the Ship Safety and Security Act, this is something the Norwegian Maritime Authority pay particular attention to. Among other things, fire risk will be a focus on ship inspections in 2014. The inspectors’ checklists have been made ​​available so that ship owners can follow this up themselves. This has previously yielded good results – most recently in connection with several safety campaigns aimed at small fishing vessels.

In addition to this, the NMA will focus on safety through measures such as:

  • dialogue with the industry,
  • follow-up of recommendations from the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board, 
  • risk-based inspections,
  • annual safety at sea Conference and 
  • unannounced inspections and port state controls.