Starting 1 January 2026, shipping operators will face stricter reporting obligations under new amendments adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In Class News 18/2025, Lloyd’s Register outlines the regulatory changes that require mandatory reporting of all lost freight containers at sea, a move that significantly strengthens maritime safety and environmental stewardship.
Mandatory reporting of all lost freight containers at sea
Under the revised SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Regulation V/30, any ship that loses containers overboard must promptly report the incident to the nearest coastal state. The report must now include detailed information such as the position, number of containers lost, and where possible, the contents, particularly if any hazardous materials are involved.
This new reporting framework addresses long-standing concerns about the navigational hazards and environmental risks posed by unreported container losses. Floating or sunken containers can present serious threats to small vessels, pose danger to coastal infrastructure, and introduce long-term marine pollution.
The updated regulation also requires flag States to ensure that ships under their registry are fully informed of the new obligations and that reporting procedures are embedded into onboard safety protocols. Similarly, port authorities and coastal States are expected to implement processes to receive, act on, and share information on container losses across the global maritime network.
These measures were adopted by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) as part of a broader effort to increase transparency and improve response coordination in the aftermath of cargo incidents. The decision follows several high-profile cases in recent years where thousands of containers were lost at sea during rough weather, often with no immediate notification to relevant authorities.
With global container volumes at record highs and the frequency of extreme weather events increasing, this regulatory update marks a major step forward in international maritime safety policy. Shipowners, operators, and maritime stakeholders are now urged to review their onboard procedures and ensure compliance ahead of the 2026 implementation deadline.
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Source: Lloyd’s Register
