THE WORLD Shipping Council has reported a positive trend in container safety, with 661 containers lost overboard during 2022.
WSC released its annual Containers Lost at Sea report this week. The report has been published each year since 2008, indicating an average of 1566 containers lost at sea each year over the entire 15-year reporting period.
The 661 containers lost in 2022 represent less than one thousandth of 1% of the 250 million containers currently shipped each year.
WSC president and CEO John Butler said the reduction in containers lost at sea is positive news, but there is no time for complacency.
“Every container lost at sea will always be one too many and we will continue with our efforts to make the sea a safer place to work, and to protect the environment and cargo by reducing the number of containers lost at sea,” he said.
WSC said proper packaging, stowage and securing of containers and reporting of correct weight are key to the safety of a container ship, its crew, its cargo, shore-based workers and the environment.
The organisation also noted progress in regulatory efforts for container safety at the International Maritime Organization.
It said the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) approved a revision of the IMO’s guidelines for container inspection programs, among other clarifying that it applies to all cargo, adding guidance from the CTU Code, as well as inspections for pest contamination.
WSC said it has for many years been advocating for mandatory reporting of containers lost at sea, and helped develop a system for mandatory reporting.
It said the proposal will be considered by MSC 107 in May and June this year.
If approved, the system could be adopted at MSC 108, making international mandatory reporting requirements for containers lost as sea effective as of 2026.
