+
Shipping containers plunge overboard at an alarming rate
PORTS & SHIPPING

Shipping containers plunge overboard at an alarming rate

Containers piled high on giant ships carrying everything from car tyres to smartphones are falling over at an alarming rate, sinking millions of dollars worth of cargo to the ocean's depths as pressure to speed deliveries raises the risk of safety mistakes.

The number of lost containers in the shipping industry is at its highest level in seven years. Last year, over 3,000 boxes were lost at sea, and more than 1,000 have been lost so far in 2021. Hundreds of US retailers and manufacturers, including Amazon and Tesla, are experiencing supply chain disruptions as a result of the accidents.

The sudden increase in accidents can be attributed to a variety of factors. Weather is becoming more unpredictable, and ships are becoming larger, allowing for higher container stacking than ever before. However, a surge in e-commerce after consumer demand exploded during the pandemic is exacerbating the situation, increasing the pressure on shipping lines to deliver products as quickly as possible.

During a voyage from Xiamen, China, to Los Angeles in January, the Maersk Essen lost about 750 boxes. A month later, when the Maersk Eindhoven lost power in rough seas, 260 containers fell off the ship.

With 226 million container boxes shipped each year, a loss of 1,000 or more may appear to be a drop in the bucket. At a conference in Singapore on April 23, Jacob Damgaard, associate director of loss prevention at Britannia P&I, said that is a very small percentage lost.

Image Source

Containers piled high on giant ships carrying everything from car tyres to smartphones are falling over at an alarming rate, sinking millions of dollars worth of cargo to the ocean's depths as pressure to speed deliveries raises the risk of safety mistakes. The number of lost containers in the shipping industry is at its highest level in seven years. Last year, over 3,000 boxes were lost at sea, and more than 1,000 have been lost so far in 2021. Hundreds of US retailers and manufacturers, including Amazon and Tesla, are experiencing supply chain disruptions as a result of the accidents. The sudden increase in accidents can be attributed to a variety of factors. Weather is becoming more unpredictable, and ships are becoming larger, allowing for higher container stacking than ever before. However, a surge in e-commerce after consumer demand exploded during the pandemic is exacerbating the situation, increasing the pressure on shipping lines to deliver products as quickly as possible. During a voyage from Xiamen, China, to Los Angeles in January, the Maersk Essen lost about 750 boxes. A month later, when the Maersk Eindhoven lost power in rough seas, 260 containers fell off the ship. With 226 million container boxes shipped each year, a loss of 1,000 or more may appear to be a drop in the bucket. At a conference in Singapore on April 23, Jacob Damgaard, associate director of loss prevention at Britannia P&I, said that is a very small percentage lost. Image Source

Next Story
Real Estate

Heena Lalwani Buys Rs 1.13 Billion Juhu Apartment

Heena Lalwani, promoter of Aatman Innovations Private Limited, has purchased a luxury apartment worth Rs 1.13 billion in Mumbai’s upscale Juhu locality, according to property registration documents accessed by Zapkey.com.The 9,862 sq ft apartment, located on the 10th floor of Lodha Developers’ Avalon Tower, was acquired at Rs 115,000 per sq ft and comes with five car parking spaces. The deal, registered on 18 August 2025, also included the payment of Rs 68 million in stamp duty and a Rs 30,000 registration fee.Lodha Developers did not respond to queries regarding the transaction, while the..

Next Story
Real Estate

Godrej Buys KPHB Land for Rs 7 Billion in E-Auction

An acre of prime land in Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB), Hyderabad, was auctioned for Rs 7 billion, with the Telangana Housing Board generating Rs 5.47 billion from the sale of 7.8 acres through e-auction on 20 August 2025.The auction notification was issued last month, attracting bids from Godrej Properties, Aurobindo Realty, Prestige Estates, and Ashoka Builders, according to Board vice-chairman V.P. Gautham. With an offset price of Rs 4 billion per acre, the three-hour auction saw 46 bid increases, before Godrej Properties acquired the land.Revenue generated from the auction will be utilis..

Next Story
Real Estate

HMDA to Auction 93 Prime Plots in September

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is preparing to conduct a three-day auction of prime open plots across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts this September.According to official reports, the e-auction will take place on 17, 18, and 19 September, offering 93 plots. Of these, 70 are located in the Bachupally HMDA layout, with the remainder spread across Turkayamjal, Kokapet, Poppalguda, Chandanagar, Bairagiguda, Gandi Maisamma, Suraram, Medipally, and Bachupally village.The highest upset price has been fixed at Rs 175,000 per square yard for a land parce..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?