Maritime shipping is the backbone of world trade; it is estimated that some 80 percent of all goods are carried by sea. Safety (and perceived safety) therefore influence peoples’ decision to ship by sea or not.

However, the large number of goods, the unpredictable circumstances such as weather, dangerous sea zones, and the constant safety threats, make ensuring the safety of all sea freight operations a challenging task for global commercial shipping. Vessels' condition and maintenance are also variables that have to be taken into account.

To succeed, a properly-implemented Safety Management System (SMS) is essential. This system can analyze every aspect of safety to minimize operational risk. SMSs help organizations reach and maintain maximum safety over a long period of time.