A rise in fatal accidents across the offshore marine contracting industry threatens to disrupt project timelines and crew availability for logistics operations relying on offshore vessels, according to a new report from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). The trade group reported that fatalities more than doubled in 2025 despite overall safety metrics improving, signaling that traditional safety indicators may mask the risk of life-threatening incidents.
"Safety performance should no longer be judged primarily by injury frequency rates, but by how effectively companies identify and control the hazards most likely to result in death or life-changing injury," said Mark Holmes, safety and security manager at IMCA, according to the report.
Fatalities Double Despite Safety Improvements
The report, based on one of the largest safety datasets in the industry's history, covers more than 1.02 billion working hours submitted by 167 contractor members, as stated by IMCA. While the lost time injury frequency rate fell from 0.30 to 0.27 and the total recordable injury rate reduced from 1.10 to 0.98, fatalities rose from three to seven, with four of those occurring offshore. The fatal accident rate increased from 0.30 to 0.69.
Reported fatal incidents included an electrocution, a fall from height, and a mooring incident involving a parted rope. Details of four additional fatalities were not provided by IMCA.
Key Findings from IMCA Report
The report highlighted several recurring hazards that require continued attention: line-of-fire hazards, lifting and rigging operations, dropped objects, mooring and snap-back zones, working at height, electrical safety, and routine day-to-day tasks. IMCA noted that many of the industry's most serious incidents occur during familiar activities rather than exceptional operations, reinforcing the importance of effective planning, supervision, and risk management.
A significant decline in safety observation reporting was also noted: the safety observation frequency rate fell by around 20%, from 482.1 to 387.1 observations per 200,000 hours worked. IMCA believes companies should focus less on the volume of observation cards submitted and more on whether observations generate meaningful learning and practical improvements.
Comparative Safety Metrics (2024 vs 2025)
| Metric | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Fatalities | 3 | 7 |
| Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate | 0.30 | 0.27 |
| Total Recordable Injury Rate | 1.10 | 0.98 |
| Fatal Accident Rate | 0.30 | 0.69 |
| Safety Observation Frequency Rate | 482.1 | 387.1 |
Implications for Offshore Logistics Operations
For freight forwarders, logistics managers, and supply chain directors relying on offshore marine contractors, a rise in fatalities can lead to operational delays re: project suspensions, enhanced safety inspections, and potential crew shortages. The increase in fatal incidents, especially the line-of-fire incidents which remained the leading cause of lost-time injuries despite dropping from approximately 52% of cases in 2024 to around 41% in 2025, indicates persistent risks that could disrupt vessel availability and chartering schedules.
IMCA's call to prioritize high-consequence hazard prevention over traditional metrics suggests that operators may face stricter compliance requirements and more rigorous risk assessments. The report's emphasis on "line-of-fire" hazards and mooring safety directly affects vessel operations at terminals and offshore sites, where parted ropes or dropped objects can cause cargo damage, equipment downtime, or personal injury, all of which ripple through supply chains.
"Some of the findings are genuinely encouraging and reflect the industry's commitment to improving everyday safety. Others are deeply concerning and remind us that serious harm prevention must remain at the centre of everything we do," Holmes concluded in the report.
Watch List
- IMCA's focus on shifting safety performance measurement from injury frequency to serious injury and fatality prevention may lead to new industry standards or contractual safety clauses.
- The continuing recurrence of line-of-fire and mooring incidents suggests that operators should review their own safety protocols and crew training programs.
- The 20% drop in safety observation reporting could indicate under-reporting or fatigue, prompting regulators to mandate more robust reporting mechanisms.
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