Surge in Maritime Container Losses Linked to Red Sea Turmoil in 2024

According to the World Shipping Council (WSC), their latest report on containers lost at sea for 2025 indicates that 576 containers were lost overboard in 2024. This figure marks an increase from the previous year, which saw a historic low of just 221 losses. However, it remains considerably below the decade-long average of approximately 1,274 containers annually.

In total, more then 250 million containers were successfully transported across global shipping lanes last year. The number of lost containers represents a mere fraction—0.0002%—of this vast movement, underscoring that most shipments are completed without any issues.

One key factor contributing to this uptick in container losses is the ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting shipping routes in the red Sea region. Due to safety concerns and threats in this area, many shipping companies opted to bypass the Suez Canal and rerouted their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope instead. This decision resulted in a staggering increase of nearly 191% in vessel traffic through that route compared to prior years.

The Cape of Good Hope is notorious for itS unpredictable weather and challenging sea conditions; reports from South African authorities indicate that close to 200 containers were lost there alone last year. These incidents accounted for about one-third (35%) of all global container losses reported for 2024.

Despite these challenges, WSC emphasizes that while container loss rates remain exceptionally low there’s still work ahead to enhance safety measures within ocean transport systems. Joe Kramek, President and CEO of WSC, noted that even though most shipments arrive safely at their destinations, every single loss is significant and warrants attention.

The report also outlines several initiatives aimed at bolstering container safety across the industry:

1. Mandatory Loss Reporting: Starting January 1, 2026, new regulations approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will require all instances of container loss to be reported officially—a move strongly backed by WSC aimed at fostering transparency within maritime operations.

1. TopTier Industry Project: In collaboration with MARIN under a Joint Industry Project named TopTier, WSC has been investigating root causes behind container losses while developing tools for enhanced safety measures and regulatory suggestions set for submission to IMO by 2025.

1. Cargo Safety Program: Aiming for launch in early 2025 alongside the National Cargo Bureau, this innovative program will leverage artificial intelligence technology designed specifically to identify misdeclared or undeclared hazardous materials among cargo loads—an essential step given such goods have previously led to onboard fires.

1. Charcoal Safety Regulations: Advocating effectively within IMO circles has led WSC towards establishing new classifications regarding charcoal as dangerous cargo—a regulation expected to take effect by mid-2026 but already being adopted voluntarily by various carriers seeking improved vessel safety standards.

This Containers Lost at Sea report draws upon data from member companies representing roughly nine-tenths (90%) of global container ship capacity; estimates are then extrapolated assuming similar performance levels among non-member entities as well.

Even with impending regulations mandating extensive reporting on container losses across all carriers globally starting soon enough—the annual publication from WSC will persist as an essential resource ensuring continued transparency throughout maritime logistics operations.