In 2023, 221 of the 250 million
containers transported were lost in incidents at sea, the lowest by far since
reporting started in 2008, according to the latest report from the World
Shipping Council (WSC).
"From a liner shipping industry
perspective, every container overboard is one too many. Of the containers lost,
about 33 percent were recovered, and is a significant improvement from the loss
of 661 containers in 2022."
The numbers indicate a
positive trend of increasing container safety as well as improved navigational
safety and vessel routing, the update added.
During 2023, most WSC member carriers saw no or single digit container
losses with only one carrier reporting losses above 100 units for the year.
"The rolling average losses for the last three years was 1,061 containers
(2021-2023).