Maritime Fatalities Among EU Vessels Slightly Increased In 2024, Data Shows

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 7, 2025

Recent figures published by Eurostat reveal a modest rise in maritime accident fatalities involving EU-registered vessels, with 13 crew members losing their lives worldwide during 2024. Data was derived from reports submitted by EU member states, as well as Iceland and Norway, to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

Regional Analysis Of Maritime Incidents

All fatalities involving EU-flagged ships occurred within EU territorial seas. In addition, nine individuals were killed in EU waters in accidents involving ships registered outside the bloc. Notably, within the EU waters, the Atlantic Ocean accounted for seven deaths, the Mediterranean for five, and the North Sea for one, while the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and English Channel registered minimal or zero fatalities.

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Trends And Vessel-Type Insights

Between 2020 and 2024, EU-flagged vessel accidents averaged 19 fatalities per year. After a post-pandemic surge peaking at 29 deaths in 2022, fatalities dipped to 11 in 2023 before a slight rise in 2024. Trends for non-EU ships saw a dramatic fluctuation, peaking at 22 passenger and crew deaths in 2023 before declining to nine in 2024. Notably, fishing vessels were the primary contributors to the 2024 fatality count, accounting for nine of the deaths, in contrast to prior years which exhibited significantly lower incident rates among fishing fleets. Passenger vessels and cargo ships each reported two fatalities, while inland waterway, recreational, and service ships continued to record minimal losses.

Data Reporting And Compliance Framework

The comprehensive dataset covers accidents involving EU-registered vessels across all ocean regions, whereas the figures for non-EU ships are limited to incidents in EU territorial seas. Cyprus, a prominent EU open registry, contributes to these numbers through mandated reporting via the European Marine Casualty Information Platform (EMCIP) under Directive 2009/18/EC and Regulation 376/2014. The island’s Marine Accident and Incident Investigation Committee (MAIC) has published several high-profile fatality reports, including investigations into incidents involving the SWE-Carrier and the Cyprus-registered bulk carrier EVNIA, as well as the 2024 mooring-line accident on the FIONA B vessel. These reports underscore a rigorous regulatory framework and a commitment to maritime safety that is critical to industry stakeholders.

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Cyprus Records EU’s Largest Quarterly Drop In Public Debt Ratio

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 21, 2026

Cyprus recorded the European Union’s largest quarterly decline in government debt as a share of GDP in the second quarter of 2026, as its debt burden continued to fall while borrowing levels across the bloc increased, according to Eurostat.

Debt Ratio Falls To 48.5%

Cyprus’ government debt fell to 48.5% of GDP at the end of June, down from 51.5% in the first quarter and 58.1% a year earlier.

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In absolute terms, debt declined to €19.2 billion from €20.03 billion at the end of March and €21.7 billion in June 2025. Cyprus also recorded the EU’s second-largest annual reduction in its debt-to-GDP ratio, after Greece.

Cyprus Outpaces Other EU Member States

Greece recorded the largest annual decline, at 11.2 percentage points, followed by Cyprus at 9.5 points, Slovenia at 4.5 points and Portugal at 3.4 points.

Quarterly, Cyprus led the bloc, ahead of Greece, where the ratio fell by 2.7 percentage points, and Hungary, which recorded a 2-point decline.

By contrast, the EU’s debt-to-GDP ratio increased to 82.9% in the second quarter from 82.5% in the first. The euro area ratio rose to 88.8% from 88.4%. Compared with the same period in 2025, the figures increased from 81.4% and 87.3%, respectively.

Debt Levels Remain High Across Europe

Greece had the EU’s highest debt ratio at the end of June, at 140.8% of GDP, followed by Italy at 139.9%, France at 119.1%, Belgium at 110.2% and Spain at 101.4%.

The lowest ratios were recorded in Estonia at 26.1%, Denmark at 27.1%, Luxembourg at 28.2% and Bulgaria at 28.7%.

Compared with the first quarter, debt ratios rose in 15 member states and fell in 10, while the Netherlands and Spain remained unchanged. Poland recorded the largest quarterly increase, at 3 percentage points.

Cyprus Maintains A Government Surplus

Cyprus’ debt reduction comes alongside a strong fiscal position. In 2025, the country recorded a government surplus of 3.6% of GDP, the highest in the EU, according to audited figures published by Cystat and Eurostat. Government debt at the end of that year stood at €20.05 billion, or 52.3% of GDP.

However, Cyprus’ seasonally adjusted government surplus narrowed to 3.3% of GDP in the second quarter of 2026, from 3.8% in the first quarter.

The figures come from Eurostat’s latest government deficit and debt release, based on member states’ second 2026 notifications under the EU’s Excessive Deficit Procedure and compiled under the European System of Accounts 2010 methodology.

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