Regulation

Container loss at sea is receiving increasing attention across the maritime sector, particularly in relation to safety, environmental protection, and regulatory development.

A Global Industry at Scale

Around 250 million containers are transported across the world’s oceans every year. This scale is what makes global trade possible, but it also underlines the importance of continued focus on safety, monitoring, and operational preparedness.

When Containers Are Lost

Between 2008 and 2022, an average of 1,566 containers were lost at sea each year. While this represents only a small fraction of overall container traffic, each incident can still create operational, environmental, and navigational challenges.

Environmental Considerations

When containers are lost, the consequences may extend beyond cargo value alone. Depending on the circumstances, lost containers can affect marine environments, wildlife, and navigation safety. This makes visibility, preparedness, and recovery capability increasingly important across the industry.

A Developing Regulatory Framework

International regulation is evolving in response to these challenges. From 1 January 2026, new IMO rules under SOLAS introduced mandatory reporting of lost containers, reflecting a broader focus on transparency, accountability, and maritime safety.

European Maritime Coordination

At European level, reporting mechanisms already exist through SafeSeaNet, supporting information-sharing, maritime awareness, and coordination between relevant authorities. This development points toward stronger integration between reporting, monitoring, and operational response.

CORES in This Context

CORES is developed with this direction in mind.

Our concept is designed to support traceability, operational overview, and recovery capability after container loss. By combining floating modules, satellite communication, and track-and-trace functionality, CORES aims to contribute to improved monitoring and more effective response when incidents occur.

Supporting the Next Step

Reporting is an important first step. Building on that foundation, the maritime sector also benefits from solutions that improve the ability to locate, monitor, and potentially recover lost containers in a timely manner.

The CORES Approach

CORES is designed to support this next step — helping connect compliance, technology, and environmental responsibility in a practical and forward-looking way.