Estimate of containers lost at sea (CCC 8/11)

Written By Anna Larsson

Submission by WSC under the topic of “Development of measures regarding the detection and mandatory reporting of Containers lost at sea that may enhance the positioning, tracking and recovery of such containers”.

Since 2011, WSC has undertaken surveys of its member companies to accurately estimate the number of containers lost at sea each year. The 2022 update gathered information from 2020 and 2021. The winter of 2020-21 saw an unusually high number of incidents. Consequently, when reviewing the results of the 14-year period (2008-2021) surveyed, WSC estimates that there were on average a total of 1,629 containers lost at sea each year, which is a significant increase (18%) to the average annual loss for the 12-year period ending in 2019. Notwithstanding this increase, containers lost overboard represent less than one thousandth of 1% (0.001%) of the roughly 241 million packed and empty containers currently shipped each year.

Download the paper here.

Anna Larsson
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Proposed criteria for devices in use or intended for use during transport containing dangerous goods (CCC 8/6/4)
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Industry guidelines for warehouses storing, handling and consolidating dangerous goods (CCC 8/INF.8)