• Africa ferry deaths rose 55% in 2024 to 2,033
• Most fatalities in Nigeria, DR Congo, Mozambique, report says
• Weak regulation, unsafe vessels, poor rescue protocols blamed

Ferries were a particularly dangerous mode of transport in Africa during 2024, with 2,033 deaths from shipwrecks—a 55% increase from the 1,308 deaths recorded in 2023. According to the "Future of Maritime Safety Report," released on Thursday by Inmarsat, nearly 72% of these incidents occurred in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique.

The report attributed the high number of fatalities to a lack of regulation, which has led to the use of unseaworthy vessels, inadequate safety equipment, overcrowding, poorly trained crews, and a general lack of maintenance. Rescue protocols were also largely non-existent.

These factors were highlighted in a 2022 report by the International Maritime Organization, which found that 95% of the continent's ferry accidents happen during domestic trips. Ferry travel is Africa's second most popular mode of transport after road travel and is often operated by private companies that disregard safety standards due to a lack of regulation.

The report urged African countries to strengthen their regulatory frameworks and implement effective control mechanisms. It also recommended investments in modernizing fleets and infrastructure, including wharves and secondary ports. The report also suggested adopting technological solutions such as real-time vessel tracking, digital crew certification, and emergency locator beacons.

Henoc Dossa