Inmarsat launches Maritime Safety Data Hub with new risk insights

Inmarsat Maritime has launched a Maritime Safety Data Hub that combines distress call and safety broadcast data to identify risks affecting global shipping.

The platform uses three years of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) data.

It also analyses 106,975 maritime safety broadcasts transmitted during 2025.

The research was carried out with supply chain consultancy SeaFocus.

Weather dominates maritime safety warnings

Weather accounted for 84.6% of urgent maritime safety broadcasts analysed during 2025.

Storms represented 75% of the identified weather hazards.

The analysis also found cases where GMDSS distress calls came from areas that had previously received weather warnings.

Inmarsat stressed that weather warnings cannot be treated as the cause of maritime incidents. However, the data showed a link between periods of severe weather and higher operational risk.

Inmarsat records 741 distress calls in 2025

Inmarsat received 741 GMDSS distress calls in 2025.

This compared with 801 calls in 2024 and 788 in 2023.

Tankers recorded the highest number in 2025, with 203 distress calls.

Bulk carriers ranked second with 105 calls.

Container ships recorded 54 distress calls, placing them fifth among vessel types.

Geopolitical risks add pressure on shipping

The data also highlights the changing risks facing vessels on major trade routes.

Inmarsat pointed to disruption in the Red Sea and tensions around the Persian Gulf and Black Sea during 2025.

GPS spoofing, signal jamming and other forms of electronic interference also affected shipping, particularly in the Middle East.

Container shipping faced both electronic interference and the threat of physical attacks in the Red Sea.

Many operators diverted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope. According to Inmarsat, these diversions added up to two weeks to some voyages.

Longer voyages also increased fuel consumption, crew workload and vessel exposure.

New hub allows users to explore maritime risk data

The Maritime Safety Data Hub allows industry users to examine the information in more detail.

Data can be filtered by vessel type, region and incident category. Users can also examine trends and download relevant information.

“By bringing weather information together with distress data, the Inmarsat Maritime Safety Data Hub introduces a powerful new layer of maritime intelligence,” said John Dodd, Director of Maritime Safety at Inmarsat Maritime.

He added that earlier access to information can help crews and operators respond to risks before they develop into emergencies.

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