Containers Lost at Sea – 2023 Update

In total 661 containers lost at sea in 2022, out of 250 million transported. This represents the lowest losses in % since the start of the survey in 2008. The improved numbers are positive news, but there is no time for complacency and we will continue our work to reduce the number of containers lost at sea. Safety is a job that never stops, and every container lost at sea will always be one too many.

Marin TopTier Joint Industry Project has already delivered concrete outcomes on the causes of containers overboard together with recommendations and training material on how to avoid and manage different kinds of dangerous parametric rolling, and more is to come in the form of industry best practices, updated safety standards, guidance and recommendations as the project enters its third and final year.

Since 2011, the World Shipping Council (WSC) has undertaken a survey of its members to accurately estimate the number of containers that are lost at sea each year. The WSC’s member companies operate more than 90% of the global containership capacity; thus, a survey of their losses provides a valid basis for a meaningful estimate of the total number of containers lost at sea. This 2023 update adds information from the year 2022.

Read the full Report here: World Shipping Council - Containers Lost at Sea - 2023 Update