# Accident Risk Analysis of Gas Tankers in Maritime Transport Using an Integrated Fuzzy Approach
## 6 Conclusions  
Tanker accidents are multifactorial phenomena resulting from the interaction of operational, environmental, technical, and organisational factors. A comprehensive analysis of gas tanker accidents reveals critical safety gaps ranging from structural and system design flaws to human error and extreme hydrodynamic or meteorological conditions. The results of this study confirm that gas tanker accidents cannot be attributed to a single cause but result from the complex interaction of technical, human, and managerial shortcomings. Previous studies [4] have shown that structural defects in tank configurations and inadequate maintenance regimes significantly increase the risk of catastrophic events. This underlines the importance of early detection mechanisms and timely corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of accidents. In this study, a hybrid approach combining Fuzzy Delphi, Fuzzy DEMATEL, and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) methods was used to assess the accident and environmental risks associated with gas tankers. Through expert consultation, 20 key risks were identified using the Fuzzy Delphi method. These risks were then prioritised using the Fuzzy DEMATEL method, allowing a detailed assessment of their interdependencies and relative importance. FTA was then used to group and quantify these risks into two main accident categories (gas fires and gas leaks) based on their contribution. FTA shows that even apparently low-risk elements can lead to serious incidents when combined with operational stressors or environmental challenges [65]. These findings support the need for rigorous inspection regimes, comprehensive safety management systems, and proactive hazard identification. As highlighted by [73], the prioritisation of inspection items in tanker inspection protocols can facilitate the early correction of hidden defects and thus prevent them from leading to accidents. The development of a corporate safety culture through routine training, increased situational awareness, and rigorous inspections are essential to reduce both the frequency and severity of LNG tanker accidents [74]. The results of the analyses have underlined the need for comprehensive and scenario-specific emergency protocols. Robust safety protocols emphasise the need for proactive measures, including real-time monitoring and rapid post-incident response mechanisms. They also highlight the importance of regular inspections and preventive maintenance. Personnel errors related to inadequate maintenance further emphasise the need for continuous training and the implementation of stricter operational standards on board. It has also highlighted deficiencies in emergency preparedness. It requires the strict implementation of safety procedures during cargo handling, the use of corrosion-resistant materials, and expert inspections, particularly of sensitive systems such as pumps and piping. Robust emergency response plans capable of dealing with large gas leaks are also required. The findings emphasise that operational, structural, procedural, and human factors are interrelated and collectively influence the likelihood of accidents. Corrosion-related failures, inadequate emergency procedures, and human error in cargo operations have emerged as significant factors in the escalation of accidents. In addition, the study highlights the growing importance of emerging threats such as cyber-attacks and structural damage caused by marine organisms, underlining the need for a dynamic risk management approach that evolves with technological and environmental changes. The results show that the most critical risks are fire and explosion incidents, large accidental gas leaks, and toxic gas emissions. All of these risks pose serious threats to human safety, environmental integrity, and business continuity. In particular, the risk of fire or explosion was consistently ranked as the highest priority across all methods of analysis, highlighting the catastrophic potential of flammable and explosive liquefied gases.