ILO research shows top causes of seafarer deaths in 2024

The International Labor Organization's 2024 data on 449 seafarer deaths across 66 countries reveals that illness and disease are the leading causes of fatalities, while work-related incidents account for nearly 20% of deaths. These findings underscore critical safety and health risks in maritime work that mirror occupational hazards faced in construction and other industries.

Geneva — Work-related incidents accounted for almost 20% of deaths among seafarers in 2024, according to the International Labor Organization. Looking at data from 66 countries, ILO identified 449 seafarer deaths that year. Illness or disease (including cardiovascular issues) was the leading cause,…

This story was originally published by Safety+Health Magazine.