576 containers were lost from ships last year out of a total of approximately 250 million carried. That represents 0.00023% of the total shipped.
A Working Group of the International Maritime Organisation, which is a United Nations agency, is examining the loss of containers at sea and developing standards and guidelines for lashings and twist locks.
Last year’s figures for lost containers are based on data from the World Shipping Council, which represents shipping companies that carry over 90% of containers.
While the total for last year is a slight increase from 221 lost in 2023, the overall picture shows a reduction in the number of lost containers, which, based on a previous 10-year average, had reached 1,274 per year.
34% of last year’s total of container losses has been attributed to a 191% increase in the usage of the Cape of Good Hope route by ships, made necessary because of attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by Houthis and other rebel forces during the Israeli conflict.
