The World Shipping Council has released its latest Containers Lost at Sea Report, showing that an estimated 1,478 containers were lost at sea in 2025 out of approximately 280 million transported globally, underscoring ongoing efforts to enhance maritime safety and cargo security across international shipping routes.
This is equivalent to 0.0005 percent of global containers transported.
The 2025 figure is an increase from the 576 containers lost in 2024 and is above the recent three-year average. This was strongly influenced by several discrete but significant incidents, with one major vessel loss accounting for 640 containers, or approximately 43 percent of all containers lost during the year.
The report identifies challenging weather and ocean conditions, particularly in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, as well as fire-related incidents, as key contributors to container losses.
The report also shows that 128 containers were recovered in 2025, the highest recovery figure recorded since WSC began gathering recovery data in 2023.
WSC has conducted its Containers Lost at Sea surveys since 2011, covering losses from 2008 onwards. From 1 January 2026, new mandatory international reporting requirements entered into force, with amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea requiring all containers lost or observed drifting at sea to be reported. Flag states must also report the number of containers lost at sea to the International Maritime Organization.
The report highlights ongoing work to improve container and cargo safety, including the WSC Cargo Safety Program designed to help prevent misdeclaration of dangerous goods, a revised CTU Code, the Top Tier Joint Industry Project and new international rules for charcoal shipments under the IMDG Code.
Data Transparency and Industry Participation
WSC’s Containers Lost at Sea report is based on direct input from member companies representing approximately 90% of the global container vessel capacity. Data is extrapolated to provide an industry-wide estimate, assuming comparable performance from non-participating carriers. While industry-wide reporting will become mandatory from 2026, WSC is committed to continuing the Containers Lost at Sea report for consistency and transparency.
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