According to newly released data from the World Shipping Council (WSC), the number of containers lost overboard from ships reached a new low in 2022. Only 661 containers were reported lost at sea, which is a small percentage compared to the estimated 250 million containers transported annually. This represents a positive development for the industry, as it shows a strong reversal from the previous two years when significant losses occurred due to a few vessels. The report does not specify the reasons behind the reduction in overboard incidents.
Number of containers lost
The report compares the 2022 figure to the three-year average from 15 years ago, which was 675 containers lost per year. However, the most recent three-year average leading up to 2022 was 1,566 containers lost per year, indicating a significant decrease.
The increase in total losses in 2020 and 2021 was attributed to a series of high-profile incidents. The ONE Apus, Maersk Essen, and Maersk Eindhoven were involved in these incidents, with bad weather often cited as a contributing factor. The Maersk Eindhoven experienced a brief power loss due to an automatic engine shutdown, leading to containers going overboard.
The WSC calculates the average over three-year periods, and previous spikes in container losses were associated with similar large casualties in the past, such as the sinking of the MOL Comfort in 2013, the Rena in 2011, and the El Faro in 2015.
In 2022, most WSC members reported either no container losses or losses in single digits. Only two carriers reported losses above 100 containers for the year.
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Source: The Maritime Executive
