Loss Prevention Advice
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Over the past week, 1-7 September, one incident of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia.
The incident occurred onboard a work vessel while was under towed by a tugboat in South China Sea on 2 September 2026. There were no crew onboard at the time of the incident, but some items of ship stores were stolen.
Area of concern
Ships are advised to intensify vigilance and maintain sharp look-out while transiting the areas of concern or anchoring at ports and anchorages; and to report all incidents immediately to the nearest coastal State. The Centre also urges the coastal States to increase patrols/surveillance in their respective waters, respond promptly to incidents reported to them, strengthen coordination and promote information sharing on incidents and the criminal groups involved to arrest the perpetrators.
Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes seas and waters off Eastern Sabah
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Drawing attention to the often-overlooked risks that non-compliant wood packaging material (WPM) can pose to international cargo shipments.
In a new guidance paper, IUMI examines the insurance implications of failing to comply with International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15), the international standard governing the use of wood packaging such as pallets, crates and dunnage in global trade.
Under ISPM 15, non-compliant wood packaging can be detained, destroyed or rejected at the border by the importing country, regardless of the condition of the cargo it contains.
For marine cargo insurers, the main exposure is often not physical loss or damage to the insured goods, but the operational and financial disruption that can result from a regulatory rejection. These consequences can include cargo detention, emergency fumigation or re-treatment, repacking, destruction or replacement of packaging, as well as delays and related contractual penalties.
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The carriage of steel cargoes is frequently associated with cargo claims, often involving allegations of rust, mechanical damage, indentation, bending, contamination or other defects arising during the voyage. In some cases, however, such damage may have been present before the cargo was loaded.
As explained by Petar Modev, Head of Ship Inspections, UK Club, a properly conducted pre-loading steel survey can help establish the apparent condition of the cargo before shipment and support an accurate description of its condition in the relevant shipping documents.
Objectives of a pre-load steel survey
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Crew Claims Report 2023/24 & 2024/25, analysing claims data to identify emerging patterns and inform strategies to reduce future risk.
The review covered approximately 3,000 crew-related claims recorded over the two-year period. Non-fatal illnesses accounted for 60% of claims, while 36% involved non-fatal injuries. The remaining 4% were fatalities resulting from injury, illness or suicide.
Key findings of the report:
- Approximately 3,000 crew-related claims were recorded over the two-year period. Of these, 36% related to non-fatal injuries, 60% to non-fatal illnesses, and 4% to fatalities arising from injury, illness or suicide.
- Injury claims were most commonly associated with the hands (27%) and legs (23%), followed by arms and shoulders (15%) and the back (10%). This distribution reflects the physical demands of seafaring, including manual handling, machinery operation and working in a dynamic maritime environment. Head and eye injuries (15% combined) were also notable, suggesting inconsistent use of personal protective equipment. While safety procedures are already in place on board, further emphasis is needed on crew engagement with safety practices, effective risk assessment, teamwork and open communication around hazards.
- Illness claims covered a broad range of conditions, with abdominal issues accounting for nearly a quarter of cases, often without a clear cause. Genitourinary (10%) and circulatory (9%) conditions were also significant. Although many illnesses are influenced by individual risk factors and may not be fully preventable, promoting healthy lifestyles (balanced nutrition, physical activity, weight management, and adequate hydration) and awareness of common symptoms may help reduce incidence and improve outcomes.
- The majority of deaths were illness-related (81% of total deaths). Among deaths caused by injury (19%), over a third involved man overboard incidents, highlighting the need for further analysis to identify additional preventative measures. Suicide remains a concern, particularly among younger seafarers in the age group of 20 to 29 years, indicating a need for enhanced mental health support and targeted interventions for this group.