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Akshat Arora
Akshat Arora
Regional Loss Prevention Director, Singapore
Date
16 December 2025

Despite years of awareness and regulatory efforts, enclosed space related fatalities remain one of the leading causes of death on ships. Based on the analysis done by the International Bulk Terminals Association (IBTA), at least 1010 ship and shore workers have lost their lives in the 25-year period between 2000 and 2024. Of those who died, 700 (69%) were crew members, and 310 (31%) were shore workers. Consequently, in June 2025, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee in its 110th session (MSC-110), adopted resolution MSC.581(110) on Revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships. The key changes to the resolution are as follows:

  • Highlighted the active involvement of the ISM Company;
  • Minor changes and improvements to definitions;
  • Removed the prescriptive example of enclosed spaces, but emphasized the need for ship-by-ship risk assessments to designate spaces, which requires involvement of the ISM Company. As part of the risk assessment process, an enclosed space register should be maintained;
  • Introduced the concepts of “connected space” and “adjacent space”;
  • Emphasised the shipper’s responsibility to provide cargo information and the support by the ISM Company;
  • Set a maximum CO2 limit of 0.5% (5,000 ppm) and devices for testing CO2 should be used;
  • Single-person entry into enclosed spaces is no longer permitted;
  • Established compatibility with SOLAS requirements (e.g., Regulation III/19 – Emergency training and drills) and provided supplemental information to support the SOLAS requirements; and
  • Proper training for competent persons (management level officers who can fill in the permit to work) and responsible persons (junior officers with operational level competency).

This animation is based on a real-life incident, where three seafarers tragically lost their lives due to asphyxiation after entering a cargo hold containing scrap metal without proper precautions. Through this video, we aim to highlight the human factors that continue to make enclosed space entry a persistent and deadly risk in shipping.

Watch the video here:

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