Almost 1,300 containers lost at sea – insurers call for better container safety on ships

“Globally, almost 1,300 containers are lost overboard each year. That’s nearly four containers a day on average. We need harmonised rules that better reflect real conditions at sea and effectively prevent such incidents,” says GDV CEO Jörg Asmussen. “Container losses alone cause millions in damages every year, with severe impacts on the environment and global supply chains. We need globally binding rules for maritime safety.” 

Lack of standards increases risks

While general cargo and heavy-lift vessels are subject to binding requirements for cargo securing, no such framework currently exists for container ships. Classification societies use differing assessment methods for stability, acceleration, and loads. As a result, identical ships may be evaluated differently depending on their origin. This inconsistency creates international safety gaps and increases the risk of container losses, particularly during storms or in challenging navigational situations where every detail matters. 

The risks are illustrated by the case of the CMA CGM Belem: in August 2024, the container ship lost 99 containers in a severe storm while navigating an alternative route south of Africa. The causes were a course change due to the Red Sea crisis and insufficient stability standards, which led to the securing limits being exceeded. The incident clearly demonstrates how crucial binding global safety standards are to ensure the safe operation of ships, even under exceptional conditions.

A look at road transport shows how effective binding safety regulations can be: technical inspection agencies such as TÜV or Dekra regularly check vehicles and their load security — by law and according to standardised procedures. At sea, there is currently no comparable level of safety or overarching framework equivalent to road traffic regulations. The GDV therefore calls for legally binding and harmonised standards for container ships to ensure transparency, accountability, and international comparability. 

Transitional solution: applying the CSS Code Annex 13

Until binding international regulations for container ships are established, the GDV recommends applying the CSS Code Annex 13 to this vessel type as an interim solution. This internationally proven standard considers realistic operating conditions and diverse loading situations. It provides a practical safety framework that can be implemented immediately and has already proven successful for other types of ships.

Transport losses with major consequences 

Global supply chains and insurance coverage depend on reliable sea transport. When containers are lost, there is not only significant financial damage, but also environmental and liability risks. German insurers cover more than 26 million property and casualty policies, many of them in the transport and logistics sectors.