Marine containers: loss at sea and deficiencies
Each year, about 1,500 containers accidentally disappear into the oceans.
Between 2008 and 2023, more than 20,000 containers were lost. These losses, related to storms, human error or stowage, may seem minimal in relation to the 250 million containers transported each year, but their impacts are economic (loss of goods, disruption of Supply Chain) and environmental (destruction of marine habitats, pollution by chemicals or plastics such as the 2021 fire in Sri Lanka).
In 2023, only 221 containers were lost, the lowest number ever recorded, but each container represents a potential danger.
In response to this problem, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2024 adopted amendments to SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) and MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships).
From 1 January 2026:
- Mandatory declaration of any loss of container will be required.
- Masters shall promptly report the position, number of containers, and nature of cargo to neighbouring vessels, coastal States and flag, prior to transmission to IMO via GIS (Geographical Information System)
- Any containers identified by drift shall also be reported.
It should also be noted that, beyond losses, container deficiencies are a major issue.
According to the World Shipping Council (WSC), in 2024, 11.39% of the inspected containers (77,688 controlled in 7 countries) had deficiencies:
- Dangerous goods, whether or not declared,
- Incomplete documents,
- Inappropriate packaging.
An increase over previous years, revealing the risks to maritime safety and the environment.
The WSC is developing a cargo security program to strengthen controls and compliance to improve marine safety, prevent environmental risks and facilitate rapid response.