Groke calls for strong implementation of ship situational awareness systems

17% of marine insurance claims from 2017 to 2021 were due to collisions, foundering, or sinking.

Groke Technologies is urging marine insurers, P&I Clubs, and regulators to promote the adoption of ship situational awareness systems to reduce the rising number of collision and other human error-related incidents at sea.

Insurers are increasingly concerned about external factors, such as seafarer shortages and increased ship traffic, which could lead to more collisions and related incidents. 

Groke Technologies' Chief Commercial Officer, Jonas Bergring, highlights that despite a decrease in ship losses, navigational incidents and collisions are on the rise. 

A 2023 report by Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty found that 17% of marine insurance claims from January 2017 to December 2021 were due to collisions, foundering, or sinking, with collisions being the second most common cause of incidents.

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) also identifies collisions as the second leading cause of ship incidents, often occurring at night, twilight, or during bad weather. 

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Contributing factors include bad weather, poor visibility, fatigue, and information overload, particularly in congested areas like the British Isles, South China Sea, and Singapore Strait.

Bergring believes that situational awareness systems can significantly reduce these risks by improving navigation safety. 

Partnering with the marine insurance community to adopt this technology could lead to fewer human error-related incidents, reducing financial and environmental risks and benefiting P&I Club members.

With the growing use of digital shipping technology and a global shortage of experienced officers, Bergring predicts that integrated ship situational awareness technology will become a mandatory International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirement by 2028. 

He anticipates class notations and voluntary IMO guidance by 2026, making it timely for the insurance community to embrace the technology.