The risk of serious harm remains present in offshore marine contracting as seven people lost their lives during 2025, more than double the previous year, according to the 2025 Safety Statistics Report published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA).
In 2025, 167 contractor Members submitted safety data, reporting 1.02 billion hours worked.
According to the publication, the industry’s Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) fell from 0.30 in 2024 to 0.27 in 2025 while the Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) reduced from 1.10 in 2024 to 0.98 in 2025. However, seven fatalities were reported in 2025 compared to three in 2024, including four offshore fatalities.
Reported fatal incidents included electrocution, a fall from height, and a mooring incident involving a parted rope. Further information about four additional fatalities, reported by two contractors, has not been provided.
IMCA said the increase in fatalities reinforces the need to look beyond headline injury rates and focus more directly on serious injury and fatality prevention.
“Line of fire” remains the leading cause of Lost Time Injuries (LTIs). It also cuts across several serious harm areas, including lifting, mooring, dropped objects, moving equipment, stored energy, and work around suspended loads.
Meanwhile, the Safety Observation Frequency Rate (SOFR) fell from 482.1 to 387.1 observations per 200,000 hours worked. That is a reduction of around 20%. IMCA says the reason is not yet clear. It may reflect fewer observations being carried out. It may reflect changes in reporting systems or definitions. It may reflect changes in the companies submitting data. It may also reflect a shift in how Members use observation programmes.
The report emphasized that while reduction in LTIFR and TRIR shows continued progress in reported injury performance, the fatality picture shows that the risk of serious harm remains present in offshore marine contracting.
The fall in safety observations also raises questions about reporting culture and the visibility of weak signals.
“Lower injury rates are welcome. But seven fatalities cannot be treated as background noise,” IMCA said. “They are a reminder that serious harm prevention must remain central to IMCA’s safety work.”
Chief executive Iain Grainger said IMCA will use the 2025 data to support a sharper focus on serious injury and fatality prevention, line-of-fire risk, high-consequence hazards, and the quality of learning across the sector, adding that IMCA will continue to work with members to improve participation and strengthen the usefulness of the data itself.
IMCA is a global trade association with more than 850 Member companies in 65 countries. It represents marine contractors, energy companies, national regulators, and the supply chain that supports the offshore construction sector.
