Operational marine incidents are related to shortfalls in the operation of the vessel. For example, of the incidents reported in 2019, 3.7% had an operational related event.
![Figure 27. Operational-related incidents by year](/sites/default/files/inline-images/figure-27.png)
Bulk carriers accounted for 52% of operational related incidents in 2019. The three operational incidents categorised as serious occurred on tankers (2) and general cargo (1) vessels.
![Figure 28. Operational-related incidents by vessel type and incident severity (2019)](/sites/default/files/inline-images/figure-28.png)
Cargo handling was the most common operational incident (43), followed by communication (40).
![Figure 29. Level 2 coding of incidents with an operational component, by severity (2019)](/sites/default/files/inline-images/figure-29.png)
Figure 30 breaks down cargo handling into its level 3 components. Loading / Unloading and Containers account for more than half of these incidents.
![Figure 30. Level 3 for cargo handling operational incidents (2019)](/sites/default/files/inline-images/figure-30.png)