The annual report by the World Shipping Council (WSC), released in June 2025, estimates that 576 containers were lost overboard in 2024; more than double the 221 containers lost in the previous year. Although this marks a notable increase, the total remains well below the 10-year average of 1,274 containers per year.
The increase was driven in large part by disruptions to trade through the Red Sea, where persistent attacks on merchant vessels prompted global carriers to divert traffic to the Cape of Good Hope. According to the WSC, transits via the Cape rose by 191% compared to 2023, placing more ships in waters known for dangerous maritime conditions.
Cape of Good Hope responsible for over a third of global losses
The Cape of Good Hope region accounted for a disproportionate share of the global total. Based on figures from the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the report notes that approximately 200 containers were lost in this region alone, representing 35% of the global container losses in 2024. This includes three incidents involving the loss of 44, 46, and 99 containers, respectively.
The WSC attributes this concentration of losses to the hazardous weather conditions in the region, especially during the Southern Hemisphere winter. The area is known for steep, unpredictable waves resulting from the convergence of multiple weather systems.
“Extreme weather events, especially during the Southern Hemisphere winter, led to disproportionately high losses,” the report notes.
Despite the year-on-year rise, the broader trend remains encouraging. The WSC notes that the rolling three-year average for container losses has now dropped to 489 per year (2022–2024)—down from 1,061 per year in the previous three-year period (2021–2023).
It is also only the second time the organisation has included recovery data, reporting that two containers were recovered in 2024.
Mandatory reporting rules to take effect in 2026
The report highlights several long-term industry efforts aimed at reducing container losses and improving maritime safety. Among them is the upcoming mandatory reporting requirement under the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) SOLAS Convention, which will come into force on 1 January 2026. Under new amendments to SOLAS Chapter V Regulations 31 and 32, all container losses must be reported by carriers, including both lost and drifting units.
Industry research points to practical solutions
The report also details the conclusion of the TopTier Joint Industry Project (JIP), a multi-year research initiative launched in 2021 and led by the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN). The project brought together more than 40 stakeholders, including shipping companies, flag states, classification societies, and equipment manufacturers, to study the causes of container loss and develop preventative measures.
According to the WSC, the final TopTier report will be submitted to the IMO in September 2025. The report is expected to contain “actionable recommendations” for both regulatory bodies and industry operators.
“Major progress has been made identifying the main reasons for container losses, developing tools and training to help ocean carriers and seafarers prevent incidents,” the WSC says.
In parallel, the Council has launched the WSC Cargo Safety Program in partnership with the National Cargo Bureau, aiming to reduce ship fires caused by undeclared or misdeclared dangerous goods. The programme introduces what the WSC describes as the first industry-wide cargo screening system, supported by digital tools and AI-powered risk algorithms.
The system will analyse container booking data globally and is expected to screen millions of bookings throughout 2025, significantly enhancing the sector’s capacity to identify high-risk shipments before they are loaded.
Charcoal classified as dangerous goods
Additional regulatory changes are also underway regarding the transport of charcoal, a cargo that has been linked to several serious onboard fires in recent years. From 2026, all charcoal shipments will be classified as dangerous goods under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. New rules will apply to the treatment, packaging, and stowage of such cargo.
“Treating all charcoal as dangerous goods ensures uniform safety standards and gives everyone involved – from shippers to carriers – the tools and clarity needed to prevent future tragedies,” the WSC explains. Although not yet mandatory, many carriers have already adopted these stricter requirements during 2025.
Safety shared across the supply chain
The report also reiterates that preventing container losses is a shared responsibility across the global supply chain.
“Every container overboard is one too many, and every day ocean carriers work with the other parties in the supply chain to enhance safety,” the Council notes.
The WSC encourages strict adherence to the CTU Code for cargo packing, verification of gross mass, and proper stowage as outlined in each ship’s Cargo Securing Manual (CSM). It also highlights the importance of lashing software, proper route planning, and weather routing to avoid severe conditions.
Progress alongside ongoing risks
Container losses at sea have varied widely over the past two decades, with the most severe year being 2013, when 5,578 containers were lost due to several large-scale incidents, including one involving total vessel loss. The figures for 2020 (3,924) and 2021 (2,301) were also unusually high, prompting deeper industry scrutiny and the creation of the TopTier project.
By contrast, 2023’s figure of 221 containers was among the lowest ever recorded. While the 2024 total marks a step backwards, the WSC maintains that overall progress has been made.
“As a longtime advocate for mandatory reporting of containers lost at sea, World Shipping Council welcomed the adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,” the report concludes. The Council pledges to continue supporting the implementation of international safety standards and transparent reporting practices.
