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Posted by David Sexton
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26 June, 2026
SEVERAL “discrete but significant incidents” have been blamed for an increase in the number of container losses in 2025.
The World Shipping Council has released its annual Containers Lost at Sea Report, showing an estimated 1478 containers went overboard in 2025 out of about 280 million transported globally.
The 2025 figure is an increase from the 576 containers lost in 2024 and is above the recent three-year average, according to the WSC.
“This was strongly influenced by several discrete but significant incidents, with one major vessel loss accounting for 640 containers, or approximately 43% of all containers lost during the year,” the WSC stated.
The incident was the sinking of the MSC Elsa 3, a Liberian-flagged vessel that sank off the coast of India, resulting in the loss of 640 containers.
This single casualty accounted for roughly 43% of the year's total losses.
The report identified challenging weather and ocean conditions, particularly in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, as well as fire-related incidents, as key contributors.
The report also showed that 128 containers were recovered in 2025, the highest recovery figure recorded since WSC began gathering recovery data in 2023.
WSC has conducted its Containers Lost at Sea surveys since 2011, covering losses from 2008 onwards.
From 1 January this year, new mandatory international reporting requirements took effect, with changes to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea requiring all containers lost or observed drifting at sea to be reported.
Flag states must also report the number of containers lost at sea to the International Maritime Organization.
According to the WSC, the report highlights ongoing work to improve container and cargo safety.
