The shipping industry has witnessed a rapid growth in the last three decades because of the significant increase in transportation demands. Shipping movements are operated in complex and high-risk environments, and many shipping accidents occur at seas as well as in restricted waters (Akten, 2004). The seriousness of ship accidents might be influenced by various factors such as collision, contact, fire/explosion, grounding, material/hull damage, sinking, darkness and adverse weather conditions.
More and more shipping liners have shown an increasing interest in using large-sized ships for the foreseeable future because of their scale advantages. However, a large ship has reduced maneuverability, which ultimately increases its accident risk (Chapman and Akten, 1998). Since a bigger size generates a corresponding increase in cargo and passengers, this may lead to catastrophic consequences in terms of human life loss. Therefore, fatal shipping accidents are the nightmares of seafarers and they are likely to be subjected to much public criticism.