World Shipping Council (WSC) has just announced new regulations in the International Convention Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) for the reporting of containers lost at sea.
The new regulations will come into force on 1 January 2026.
What will change
The new legislation introduces an obligation for ship masters to report lost containers. This is an important step towards improving shipping safety and protecting the marine environment.
What will the master do
- masters will immediately inform nearby ships, the nearest coastal state and the flag state of lost containers,
- the flag state will relay the information from the master of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) via a special information system,
- masters who see drifting containers will have to report this to nearby ships and the nearest coastal state.
What will the reporting look like
- reports will be made quickly and updated as new information becomes available,
- and will have to include the position of the lost containers, their number and whether there were dangerous goods in them.
The master will be able to provide additional information in the report, such as cargo or sea conditions.
The importance of the new regulations
Since 2008, the WSC has been collecting data on the number of containers lost at sea from its members. The “Containers Lost at Sea” report is regularly submitted to the IMO and is an important source of information on container safety.
The changes in the law are the result of an analysis of the data provided. They are certainly aimed at improving shipping safety and protecting the environment through the accurate reporting of lost containers. Immediate response and prompt action in undoubtedly a good step to minimise potential risks to the marine environment.
Summary
The new SOLAS regulations, which will come into force in 2026, make it mandatory to report all lost containers. This will make shipping safer and the marine environment better protected. WSC supports these changes and works with various stakeholders to ensure the safe transport of goods across the ocean.
Compiled by:
trainee advocate Michał Wieczorek