The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a safety bulletin to address the ongoing problem of improperly secured cargo contributing to container losses at sea. This has prompted a renewed focus on inspections, crew training, and weather preparedness across the shipping industry.
Industry-Wide Response to Cargo Loss
Australia, in collaboration with the Tokyo, Indian Ocean, and Paris MoUs, will conduct a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) in 2026 focused specifically on cargo securing and stowage practices. Additionally, the World Shipping Council (WSC) launched its Cargo Safety Program on September 15, 2025. This industry-led initiative aims to detect misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods to prevent ship fires and protect crews, vessels, and the marine environment. Despite occasional incidents, the WSC notes an encouraging overall trend showing a clear decline in container losses compared to earlier years, although awareness and caution have increased.
Key Cargo Securing and Stowage Deficiencies
During ship inspections, AMSA frequently identified that stack limits were violated, specifically where stacks exceeded the maximum permissible container stack weights and/or the maximum permissible weight distributions within stacks. Such violations can lead to the destruction of lashings and fittings or the collapse of individual containers. Furthermore, inspectors found that cargo was not appropriately secured throughout the voyage to prevent loss overboard.
Another common issue was that operators failed to ensure that securing devices were in good condition and maintained according to the approved cargo securing manual, and crew often failed to monitor cargo securing arrangements throughout the voyage, allowing lashings to become loose.
Operational Requirements
Operators are required to provide appropriate training to ensure the crew are familiar with the contents and requirements of the approved cargo securing manual (CSM), aligning with their respective roles on board. The CSM itself must be comprehensive and understandable, ensuring the written procedures align with the way tasks are actually conducted onboard for practicality and safety.
Regular review of maintenance procedures and the CSM is necessary to ensure continued effectiveness and compliance. Given that most container loss incidents in Australian waters occur during severe weather conditions, effective weather routing procedures should be in place for early avoidance of heavy weather. Vessel dynamics, particularly the effects of parametric rolling, should be considered in evaluating sea states. All cargo must be stowed and secured in accordance with the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code), which requires that securing measures be based on the most severe weather conditions expected for the entire voyage.
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Source: IIMS
