Drop in Cyprus ship registry in first half of 2010

The number and the gross tonnage of ships registered under the Cyprus flag dropped in the first six months of 2010, compared to the corresponding period a year ago.
The number of registered ships was 1843 up until June 30, or 13 vessels less, according to the Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS), compared to the total number of Cyprus-flagged vessels in 2009.
A small decline was also recorded in the ships’ gross tonnage, from 21.7 mln registered tons in 2009 to 21.6 mln in the first half of the year.
The number and tonnage of big-type vessels presents both increases and decreases, compared to 2009. The number of tankers and chemical tankers, as well as the tonnage of bulk carriers saw a marginal increase. In contrast, there was a slight decline in the number of oil tankers, container ships and general cargo ships.
There was also a mild drop in small-type vessels, such as pleasure craft and motor yachts, while the numbers for sailing yachts increased.
As regards marine accidents, the last available data for 2009 showed an increase compared to 2007 and 2008, without any loss of life.
In particular, 119 accidents were recorded in 2009, which resulted in the injuries of 33 people. One of these accidents was described by the DMS as “very serious”, 13 other accidents were labeled as serious and the rest were considered to be minor accidents. In 2007, there were 57 marine accidents, according to DMS statistics, while the number of fatalities rose to three. During the same year, three vessels were declared total loss and scrapped off the Cyprus Register.
In 2006, the total number of accidents was even higher, at 63 cases. This was also the worst year in terms of human loss. Ten crew members died and one vessel was written off. Between 2001 and 2007, the Cyprus registry marked the lowest number of accidents in 2004, with only 29 accidents, although four people died as a result. In 2008, the number of accidents rose to 70.
The increase in the number of accidents in 2009, as compared to the previous year, is partly due to the different method of recording accidents. Before 2009, many minor accidents were recorded in a separate list as simple incidents. As of 2009, all accidents are recorded under the same list.
Moreover, the list contains, since July 1, 2008, all accidents involving small boats, something that was not the case in the past.