Rerouting leads to increase in containers lost overboard
Figures still remain below 10-year average, despite increase in 2024
Voyages around the Cape of Good Hope face rougher weather conditions than those transiting the Red Sea. A third of boxes lost at sea last year were recorded in the waters off South Africa
REROUTING around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid Red Sea risk has led to an increase in containers lost overboard, according to the latest findings by the World Shipping Council.
Figures from the Containers Lost at Sea report show the number of containers lost in 2024 rose to 576 in 2024. While this was more than double the 221 lost in 2023, it is less than half the 10-year average of 1,274 containers lost annually.
“This year’s report confirms the vast majority of containers are transported safely across the oceans. Still, even one container lost is one too many,” said WSC president Joe Kramek.
“Despite continued loss-prevention efforts by the industry, the rerouting of transits away from the Red Sea and around the Cape of Good Hope to keep global commerce moving has ocean carriers navigating one of the world’s most challenging routes, as highlighted in this report.”
The WSC highlighted that the proportion of containers lost remained “exceptionally low”, representing just 0.0002% of the approximately 250m containers transported in 2024.
This was despite the number of vessel transits around the Cape of Good Hope increasing by 191%, contributing to the increase in losses. The South African Maritime Safety Authority said around 200 containers were lost in this region alone.
But the report also highlights loss-prevention efforts that are set to further reduce the number of containers lost at sea.
“Mandatory reporting of container losses to the International Maritime Organization will begin in 2026, following adoption of new Solas amendments,” the report said. “The WSC has long advocated for and welcomes this development.”
The Top Tier Joint Industry Project, led by Marin with WSC participation, will make its final report to the IMO in September.
The project has made “major advances” in improving container safety, identifying the main reasons for container losses, developing tools to help ocean carriers prevent incidents, recommendations to the IMO for revised regulations and to the ISO for amendments to standards that would significantly enhance container safety.
