A record low number of containers were lost at sea last year: Only661 shipping containers were lost at sea in 2022, the lowest number of vessels lost since the World Shipping Council (WSC) began tracking in 2008, according to a WSC report (pdf).The number also represents “less than one thousandth of 1%” of the 250 mn shipping containers shipped a year, according to the report. The number of containers lost at sea averaged around 1.5k a year between 2008 and 2022.

Why do containers get lost at sea? The bulk of the losses occur as a result of sinking incidents during severe weather, WSC said, Despite the marked improvements, WSC cites ongoing efforts by shipping firms, governments, and stakeholders to reduce the number of containers lost at sea. Cargo transported via containers worldwide is valued at around USD 7 tn per year, according to the report.

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