The number and gross tonnage of ships registered under the Cyprus flag fell in the first six months of 2010, compared to the corresponding period a year ago.

The number of registered ships was 1843 until 30 June, 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 million registered tons in 2009 to 21.6 million in the first half of the year.

The number and tonnage of big-type vessels presents both increases and decreases, compared to 2009. There was a marginal increase in the number of tankers and chemical tankers, as well as in the tonnage of bulk carriers. In contrast, there was a slight fall in the number of oil tankers, container ships and general cargo ships.

There was also a modest drop in smaller vessels, such as pleasure craft and motor yachts, while the numbers for sailing yachts increased.

As far as marine accidents are concerned, the last available data for 2009 showed an increase compared to 2007 and 2008, without any loss of life.

In particular, 119 accidents, resulting in 33 people being injured, were recorded in 2009. One of these accidents was described by the DMS as “very serious”, 13 more were defined as serious and the remainder were considered to be minor accidents. There were 57 marine accidents in 2007, according to DMS statistics, with three fatalities. During the same year, three vessels were declared a total loss and removed from 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 crewmembers died and one vessel was written off. Between 2001 and 2007, the Cyprus registry recorded the lowest number of accidents in 2004, with only 29, 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, 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 in the same list.

Moreover, since 1 July 2008 the list has included all accidents involving small boats, something that was not the case previously.