Mandatory reporting of lost containers at sea came into force | Container news

Owners and masters need to know about the new regulations for the mandatory reporting of containers lost at sea, which started on January 1, according to experts at P&I, marine and energy insurance Gard.

From 1 January 2026, the shipping industry will be required to report all containers lost at sea. The new regulations come into effect following IMO amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

The new reporting obligations were established through Resolution MSC.550(108) and apply to any ship carrying one or more freight containers, as well as to any ship that observes containers lost at sea.

Masters must promptly report both the loss and any sightings of drifting containers. This ensures swift communication with nearby vessels, relevant coastal authorities, and the vessel’s flag State.

The information required includes the ship’s identity, lost/drifting position, date & time and to the extent it is known, the number of containers lost/drifting, the container descriptions (size & type) and whether any Dangerous Goods are involved (with UN numbers).

IMO circular CCC.1/Circ.7 contains a reporting template and links to interim reporting forms that has developed for member states to use for reporting to the IMO.

It is recognized that at the time of the initial reporting, not all information may be available so there may be a need for more than one report.

At the earliest, safe and practicable opportunity, a thorough inspection on a ship having lost containers is expected to verify the details.

In the event of the ship being abandoned, or unable to report, the company, shall, to the fullest extent possible, assume the reporting obligations.

According to the World Shipping Council’s latest containers lost at sea report 576 containers were lost in 2024, out of the over 250 million containers transported.

While this represents an increase from 221 containers lost at sea in 2023, it remains well below the 10-year average of 1,274.

Container losses in 2024 were influenced by shifting global trade patterns, particularly in response to attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea. These disruptions led to a significant rerouting of vessels, with a 191 percent increase in transits around the Cape of Good Hope compared to the previous year. This area is known for hazardous maritime conditions, which contributed to some 200 containers lost in this region in 2024.

Persistent hostilities in the Red Sea, led to a 191 percent increase in transits around the Cape of Good Hope. The South African Maritime Safety Authority reports indicate nearly 200 containers were lost in this region alone. That accounts for 35% of 2024’s total container losses.

But that experience has not been repeated in 2025, demonstrating the ability of the industry to learn from experience, senior loss prevention executive Kristin Urdahl and global claims lead Mark Russell argue on the Gard website.

The authors emphasize that the vast majority of containers are transported without incident and with over 250 million containers transported in 2024, the number of losses remains very low.