Maritime transport recorded a peak in containers lost at sea

According to analysts, container losses at sea in 2020 reached their highest level for 7 years. In 2020 more than 3,000 containers fell into the sea and already more than 1,000 since the start of 2021.

 

 

 

According to professionals in the sector, the causes of the increase in accidents are multiple. The weather conditions which often become unpredictable, but also the size of the ships which grows, which makes it possible to stack the containers ever higher. The deadlines imposed on deliveries, the often insufficient crew and the lack of maintenance of the vessels also increase the risks.

 

 

 

While none of the recent container accidents have been directly attributed to security breaches, many experts point out that the situation has become more dangerous since the pandemic. The need for speed has become essential to meet demand. The captains, in the event of 'bad weather', have the possibility of moving their vessels away from danger. But the attitude is to weather the storm, not around it, lamented Jonathan Ranger, director of the Asia-Pacific maritime division at AIG (American International Group Inc).

 

 

 

With 226 million containers shipped each year, the loss of just over 1,000 containers in a few months may seem insignificant. But seems a symptom revealing the current situation.

 

 

 

"Shipping traffic is different from what it was 10 years ago," said Rajesh Unni, founder of Synergy Marine Group, which provides services to shipowners. "How are we adapting as an industry? It's convenient to blame the captain, but we need to look at how the port infrastructure needs to change, and how the ships move." According to Jonathan Ranger, AIG, companies should be prepared to bypass storms and properly maintain ships.

 

 

 

IMO (International Maritime Organization), the United Nations agency responsible for regulating shipping, said a committee regularly reviews container issues and had scheduled its next meeting in September.

 

 

 

source: bloomberg.com