The latest Future of Maritime Safety Report from Inmarsat Maritime has highlighted ‘information overload’ as a growing risk to safe operations at sea, based on analysis of distress call data.
Inmarsat says Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) calls on its network rose from 788 in 2023 to 801 in 2024, in line with the annual average of around 800 recorded between 2018 and 2023.
The company notes that crews continue to face pressure from geopolitical instability, extreme weather, piracy and cyber-attacks, alongside the challenges of adapting to new technology and reporting requirements.
The report calls for a stronger focus on human factors to address the impact of digitalisation on seafarer welfare and recommends reducing duplication and streamlining information flows to ensure data empowers crews rather than adding extra strain.
“Accurate data holds immense potential to transform shipping safety – from predictive maintenance to casualty and near-miss reporting and human-factor analysis. But data must empower crews, not overwhelm them. We need smarter systems to capture, evaluate, and utilise data more effectively without placing an extra burden on already overworked seafarers,” said Peter Broadhurst, Senior Vice President, Safety and Regulatory, Inmarsat Maritime.
“By sharing anonymised safety data, the industry can create a trusted ecosystem that strengthens standardisation and regulations, improves operations, and safeguards seafarer welfare. Together, we can create one of the most powerful maritime safety initiatives to navigate us through the pressures and changes impacting international shipping in the years to come.”
