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, container 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 for Container Loss:
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 security 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.
