A new analysis by ShipIn Systems and marine insurance company NorthStandard shows that the risk of maritime accidents is heavily concentrated in a limited segment of the fleet. This study, published in the 2026 Maritime Risk Report, indicates that 29% of ships account for nearly 70% of reported accidents.
Identifying Dangerous Operational Patterns
This analysis was conducted using accident data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence SeaSearcher and operational information from ShipIn's FleetVision platform. The findings suggest that recurring operational patterns can provide indicators of higher risk before an incident occurs. Ships with a FleetVision score below 75 are 5.7 times more likely to experience an accident than those with a score above 85. Lower-scoring vessels also exhibit more frequent deviations in bridge procedures, deck operations, anchoring tasks, and the use of personal protective equipment.
The Need for Targeted Interventions in the Fleet
ShipIn emphasizes that by identifying dangerous operational patterns, the risk of accidents can be recognized before they occur. Usher Perry, founder and CEO of ShipIn Systems, states, "Safety is still often measured after an incident occurs. However, this research shows that risk can be significantly identified earlier and is embedded in daily operations."
The report also provides evidence that sustainable interventions can reduce deviations. In a separate sample of 250 ships monitored over 12 months, average monthly deviations decreased from about 230 to eight, representing a 96% reduction. This improvement included observations of bridge safety, deck, and personal protective equipment.
The results of this study support a risk-based approach where operators should allocate more support and oversight to ships facing recurring operational issues rather than applying uniform restrictions across the entire fleet.
Colin Gillespie, Global Head of Loss Prevention at NorthStandard, says, "Our goal is to help our members identify and address risks at early stages. When ship and shore teams can observe similar evidence, they can collaboratively address emerging risks."
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