Gard report finds routine work behind most seafarer injuries

Hapag-Lloyd Norwegian marine insurer Gard has warned that many seafarer injuries still happen during routine shipboard work, often involving experienced crew carrying out familiar tasks. The finding comes from Gard’s third Crew Claims Report, which draws on around 3,000 P&I crew claims from 2025, including a deeper review of around 400 injury cases. Gard registered more than 6,500 P&I claims last year, with nearly half involving people. Crew claims made up more than 90% of those people-related cases. Illness remained the largest source of crew claims, accounting for almost 60% of cases, followed by injury at 37% and death at 3%. The report found that injury claims remained broadly stable in 2025, with more than 850 cases recorded. Slips, trips and falls remained the leading cause of crew injuries, accounting for 29% of reported cases. They were followed by injuries from being hit by an object, wire or line at 16%, and strains from carrying, lifting, pushing or pulling at 15%. Gard said injuries were slightly more likely to occur on the main deck than in the engine room, with the two locations accounting for 39% and 33% of injuries, respectively. The report also found that scheduled maintenance, mooring operations and cargo work featured heavily among the activities being carried out when injuries occurred. The first months onboard stood out as a high-risk period. More than half of the injuries analysed occurred within the first three months of a seafarer’s contract, with 60% of those taking place in the first month. Gard also identified the morning work period as a particular danger point. Of the cases where local time was available, the highest concentration of injuries occurred between 08:00 and 10:00, with nearly half of the recorded incidents happening before noon. “Our review of crew injury claims data has provided some new insights about risks on board and safety at sea,” said Christen Guddal, chief claims officer at Gard. “Accidents causing injuries do not only happen to inexperienced crew or during unusual situations. They often occur during normal work when experienced crew carry out familiar tasks.” Guddal said stress, fatigue and workload remain important factors in crew safety. “Factors such as stress, fatigue, and high workload, combined with isolation and alienation, all play an important role. Ultimately, the data reminds us that this is less about human failure and more about the realities of human limitations in demanding operational environments,” he added. The report also challenges the idea that experience alone reduces accident risk. Gard said highly experienced crew were frequently involved in injuries during routine work such as maintenance, cargo handling and mooring. Fatalities were lower than in 2024, but Gard said the long-term average remains above pre-pandemic levels. Illness accounted for 76% of crew fatalities in 2025, with cardiovascular illness remaining the main cause of death onboard. Suicides accounted for 13% and injuries for 11%. Line Dahle, executive vice president of industry impact at Gard, said the findings point to the need for a more human-centred approach to shipboard safety. “Most voyages are completed safely and without incident, but recurring patterns in our claims data show that there is still more to learn from everyday operations on board,” Dahle said. “By sharing these insights, we hope to support practical improvements that strengthen the safety, health and wellbeing of the people who keep global trade moving.” Adis Ajdin Adis is an experienced news reporter with a background in finance, media and education. He has written across the spectrum of offshore energy and ocean industries for many years and is a member of International Federation of Journalists. Previously he had written for Navingo media group titles including Offshore Energy, Subsea World News and Marine Energy. Read Next June 26, 2026 90 days to Splash Singapore June 25, 2026 Officer shortage risks exceeding 100,000 by 2030 June 25, 2026 Hormuz moves from shutdown to managed recovery June 25, 2026 Landlocked Kyrgyzstan readies ship registry June 25, 2026 Shipping struggles to stamp out illegal recruitment fees