Shipping
Shipping containers lost at sea doubled in 2025, but represent minimal fraction of global trade
Container losses at sea more than doubled in 2025 to 1,478 units out of approximately 280 million transported worldwide—equivalent to just 0.0005% of global container movements. The increase was driven largely by major incidents, including the sinking of the Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA 3 off Kochi, India, which accounted for 640 lost containers or about 43% of annual losses. New international reporting rules took effect on January 1, 2026, requiring all containers lost or observed drifting at sea to be reported to the International Maritime Organization.
