REPORT OF CONTAINER LOST IN OCEANS

Container loss in the ocean occurs when shipping containers fall

off cargo ships and end up in the ocean. This can happen due to
various reasons such as rough weather, poor container
stacking, or structural failures of the ship. When containers are
lost at sea, they can pose a threat to marine life, damage
underwater ecosystems, and even create navigational hazards
for ships.

According to a report by the World Shipping Council, an

average of 1,382 containers were lost at sea each year between
2008 and 2019. However, in recent years, there has been a
significant increase in container loss incidents. For example, in
early 2021, a container ship called the ONE Apus lost over 1,800
containers in the Pacific Ocean due to severe weather
conditions.

Container loss incidents can have significant economic and

environmental impacts. When containers are lost at sea, the
goods inside them can be damaged or lost, leading to financial
losses for the shippers and insurers. In addition, containers that
end up in the ocean can create marine debris, which can harm
marine life and damage ecosystems. Furthermore, containers
can float for a long time, creating navigational hazards for ships
and potentially causing accidents.

To address the issue of container loss, the International

Maritime Organization (IMO) has established guidelines for
container stacking and securing on ships. In addition, many
shipping companies are investing in technology and equipment
to improve container handling and reduce the risk of container
loss. However, given the increasing frequency of severe
weather events and the global growth in container shipping, it
is likely that container loss incidents will continue to occur, and
more efforts will be needed to mitigate their impacts.

REASONS OF CONTAINER LOST

Container loss in the ocean can occur due to various reasons,
including:

Rough Weather: Severe weather conditions such as strong

winds, high waves, and storms can cause containers to shift or
fall overboard. The ship's crew may not be able to secure the
containers properly in these conditions, leading to container
loss.
Poor Container Stacking: Containers need to be stacked
securely to prevent them from shifting or falling during transit.
If the containers are not properly stacked or secured, they can
topple over, leading to container loss.

Structural Failure of the Ship: The structural failure of a ship's

hull or container lashing systems can also result in container
loss. This can happen due to various reasons such as fatigue,
corrosion, or inadequate maintenance of the ship.

Human Error: Human error, such as incorrect container loading,

inadequate container securing, or failure to identify damaged
containers, can also lead to container loss.

Piracy and Theft: In some cases, containers may be

intentionally thrown overboard by pirates or thieves
attempting to steal valuable cargo.

Accidents: Accidents such as collisions between ships, or

between a ship and an object in the water, can also result in
container loss.

Design Flaws: In rare cases, design flaws in containers or

container ships can contribute to container loss incidents.
It is worth noting that container loss incidents are often caused
by a combination of these factors rather than a single cause.

RECOVERY OF CONTAINER LOST IN THE OCEAN

Recovering lost containers from the ocean can be a challenging

and costly process, and in some cases, it may not be possible to
recover all of the lost containers. However, recovery efforts can
be undertaken to mitigate the impact of container loss
incidents on the environment and marine life.

Here are some methods used for recovering lost containers:

Search and Recovery Operations: When a container is lost at

sea, the shipping company may launch a search and recovery
operation to locate and retrieve the lost containers. This may
involve using sonar equipment to locate the containers on the
ocean floor, deploying remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to
recover the containers, or sending divers to retrieve them.

Salvage Operations: Salvage companies can be hired to recover

lost containers. Salvage companies use specialized equipment
such as cranes and barges to lift the containers from the ocean
floor and bring them to the surface.

Natural Recovery: In some cases, lost containers may wash up

on beaches or shores naturally, and they can be retrieved by
beachcombers or cleanup crews.

Prevention Measures: Preventive measures such as improving

container securing and ship design can also help reduce the
number of lost containers in the ocean.

It is worth noting that recovery operations can be expensive

and time-consuming. In addition, the recovery of lost
containers may not always be possible, especially in cases
where the containers have sunk to great depths or are
dispersed over a wide area. Therefore, prevention measures to
avoid container loss are crucial to reducing the environmental
impact of lost containers in the ocean.