Global container losses at sea rose to 576 in 2024, more than double the record-low 221 containers lost in 2023, according to the World Shipping Council’s (WSC) latest Containers Lost at Sea report.  

Still, the number remains well below the 10-year average of 1,274, reflecting the industry’s continued investment in safety and operational resilience. 

The increase was largely linked to persistent hostilities in the Red Sea, which prompted many shipping lines to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, a region notorious for hazardous sea conditions. According to the report, vessel transits via the Cape surged by 191 per cent year-on-year, with the South African Maritime Safety Authority confirming that nearly 200 containers were lost in this region alone, amounting to 35 per cent of global container losses in 2024. 

Despite this rise, the proportion of containers lost remains extremely low. Just 0.0002 per cent of the estimated 250 million containers transported globally in 2024 were lost at sea. 

“This year’s report confirms that the vast majority of containers are transported safely across the oceans. Still, even one container lost is one too many,” said Joe Kramek, president and CEO of the WSC.  

He added that “despite continued loss-prevention efforts by the industry, the re-routing of transits away from the Red Sea and around the Cape of Good Hope to keep global commerce moving has ocean carriers navigating one of the world’s most challenging routes.” 

The WSC report highlights several initiatives to improve container safety. Mandatory reporting of container losses to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will begin in 2026, following new SOLAS amendments. WSC, a long-time supporter of this measure, has welcomed the development. 

In addition, the Top Tier Joint Industry Project, launched in 2021 by the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) with WSC participation, will deliver final recommendations to the IMO in September. The initiative has focused on the root causes of container losses, tools for better prevention, and proposed regulatory revisions. 

Another key measure, the WSC Cargo Safety Programme, is set to launch in 2025. The programme will introduce the first industry-wide system for screening cargo bookings to detect misdeclared or undeclared dangerous goods, a leading cause of shipboard fires.  

In parallel, new IMO rules on charcoal shipments, classifying them as dangerous goods, will come into force in 2026, though many carriers are expected to implement them proactively next year. 

As global safety rules tighten, Cyprus steps up its maritime role 

While the WSC report does not provide a breakdown of losses by flag, Cyprus continues to strengthen its position as a global maritime player, with growing involvement in both regulation and sustainability. 

According to Maritime Cyprus, the island’s shipping registry ranks 11th globally and 3rd within the EU, handling 4–5 per cent of the world’s merchant tonnage and nearly 20 per cent of global third-party ship management. 

In a recent Cyprus Shipping News report, the registry was shown to have grown by 18 per cent over the past 18 months, now comprising around 1,000 seagoing vessels. The country also maintains bilateral maritime agreements with 25 nations and is advancing a digital transformation strategy across its ports and registry. 

In parallel, Cyprus Mail reported on Cyprus’ involvement in an EU-funded pilot project on onboard carbon capture, coordinated through the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI). The technology, fitted on the UBC Cork, captures up to 95 per cent of CO₂ and 98 per cent of sulphur emissions, highlighting Cyprus’ alignment with EU and IMO decarbonisation goals. 

Earlier this year, AP News reported that 12 certified private maritime security companies operate on Cyprus-flagged vessels in high-risk zones such as the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. A UN inspection noted that Cyprus’ vetting procedures “go beyond minimum requirements,” though stronger grievance mechanisms were recommended. 

Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanolis recently confirmed that Cyprus will fully implement the 2026 SOLAS amendments, reaffirming the country’s commitment to international collaboration and maritime safety. 

The island will also host Maritime Cyprus 2025 in Limassol from October 6-8, with more than 1,000 delegates expected. Topics will include regulation, safety, environmental innovation and geopolitical risk, closely mirroring themes raised in the WSC report.