As of 1 January 2026, an international obligation to report containers lost at sea has entered into force. This requirement was introduced by the IMO through amendments to Chapter V of the SOLAS Convention. The regulations establish new operational duties for shipowners and shipping companies, with impacts across the entire maritime transport chain.

The reporting obligation applies to all vessels carrying containers, as well as to any vessel that observes containers adrift, regardless of flag or navigation area. The master of the vessel holds primary responsibility and must promptly notify nearby ships, the competent coastal State, and the flag State. If the vessel is unable to submit the report, responsibility shifts to the shipping company in accordance with the ISM Code.

Reports must contain essential information, including the identity of the vessel, the geographic location of the loss or sighting, the date and time in UTC, the number and description of the containers involved, and any hazardous cargo with the relevant UN numbers. The regulations provide for progressive reporting: an initial, possibly partial notification may be submitted immediately, followed by updates until a final report is completed, based on a thorough inspection of the vessel.

From an operational and documentation perspective, the SOLAS amendments require structured internal procedures and effective coordination between the master, the shipping company, and other parties involved in cargo management. To support this, IMO Circular CCC.1/Circ.7, approved in November 2025, provides a standardized reporting model. This model ensures consistency and comparability of data at the international level, pending the integration of a dedicated module within the GISIS (Global Integrated Shipping Information System), the IMO’s online platform for the collection and consultation of maritime information.

Although container losses remain generally rare compared with the total global volume, individual losses can have significant consequences for navigation safety, the marine environment, and economic costs. Available data indicate that losses, while usually limited, can be concentrated in critical areas such as the Cape of Good Hope. The regulations emphasize the importance of timely and detailed reporting, to ensure proper management of each loss and the complete collection of available information.

Laura Piras
laura.piras@mordiglia.it