The Cost of Shipping Containers going overboard

Imagine a large cargo ship sailing across the ocean. It carries thousands of colourful containers stacked high, resembling building blocks. These containers transport everything imaginable: clothes, toys, food, and even cars! However, sometimes these containers detach from the ship and disappear into the deep blue sea, an event more common than you might think.

Every year, a staggering 1,000 to 2,000 containers are lost at sea. That’s equivalent to losing an entire train filled with goods! But what causes this? And what happens to these containers and their contents?

There are several reasons why containers end up in the ocean. Bad weather, such as strong winds and waves, can knock containers off the ship. It’s like a tower of blocks falling when someone bumps the table—the whole structure collapses!

Sometimes, human error is the culprit. Containers might be improperly secured or the ship might be overloaded, similar to putting too many groceries in a bag—it might rip, spilling everything out.

The containers themselves can also be the problem. They might be old, rusty, or have weak spots due to repeated use. It’s like using a soggy cardboard box—it can easily fall apart.

When a container falls into the ocean, it doesn’t always sink immediately. Many containers float like giant bath toys, bobbing in the waves, posing a danger to other ships that might collide with them unknowingly.

Eventually, most containers sink to the ocean floor. In shallow water, they might land on a coral reef or seagrass bed, causing damage to these sensitive ecosystems. It’s like dropping a heavy rock in a garden—it can crush the plants and flowers.

Over time, the salty seawater corrodes and weakens the container. Eventually, it may break open, spilling its contents into the ocean.

Lost containers can carry a wide variety of items. Some might contain clothes, toys, or furniture while others might hold electronics, car parts, or even food. This spilled cargo can create environmental problems.

For instance, plastic toys and bottles can float for prolonged periods, posing a threat to sea turtles and other marine life that might mistake them for food. It’s like leaving litter in a park—it’s unsightly and harmful to the animals that live there.

Chemicals and other hazardous materials can pollute the water, making it unsafe for fish and other marine creatures. It’s like pouring poison into a lake—it can kill the fish and contaminate the water.

Sometimes, when a container is lost, people attempt to find and recover it. They use specialised boats equipped with underwater cameras and robots to search the ocean floor, like a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, they’re looking for a large metal box.

However, finding a lost container in the vast ocean is incredibly difficult. It’s like trying to locate a lost coin in a massive sandbox. Even if they find it, bringing it back to the surface can be challenging and expensive.

Losing shipping containers has detrimental environmental consequences and poses risks to ships. So, what can we do to stop this?

First, we can ensure containers are securely fastened to ships, like buckling your seatbelt in a car. We can also make containers sturdier to prevent them from breaking open easily. International regulations, such as the International Maritime Organisation’s guidelines on container securing, play a vital role in enforcing these safety measures.

One crucial solution is to use advanced technology to track containers. It’s like attaching a GPS tracker to a pet to find it if it runs away. These tools can help closely monitor containers and detect if they fall overboard.

We can all contribute by consuming less and using items for longer. The less we ship across the ocean, the fewer containers will be lost. We can also support companies that adopt safer shipping practices and invest in technology that tracks and recovers lost containers. For example, Maersk, a major shipping company, has been investing in advanced container tracking systems to reduce the risk of lost containers.

Safeguarding our oceans is a collective responsibility. By working together, we can ensure that shipping containers stay where they belong—on ships, not at the bottom of the ocean.