Casualties down in Asia

 
Fewer people died at sea and there were fewer vessel casualties in Asia last year, IHS Fairplay data revealed.

In total, 187 people lost their lives in 2012, compared with 233 in the previous year. The total number of vessel casualties for the region also fell, from 233 in 2011 to 187 last year. Deaths from accidents caused by collision (92) and fire (32) remained roughly the same as the previous year.

IHS Fairplay casualty analyst Paul Clemenson said there was an increased risk of collisions in the region due to the high volume of traffic in certain Asian waters – particularly in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The second most common cause of casualties in Asia last year was hull and machinery damage, although this figure fell to 73, compared with 98 in the previous year.