DigitalisationShipownersWorldwide
Trending

Containers lost at sea

Increased cargo capacities, climate change, and port congestion induced risk

Narjiss Ghajour Send an email February 16, 2022
1,785 6 minutes read

 

Globally, there are currently over 6,000 active ships carrying containers and the twenty-foot-long containers (TEU) capacity of the container ship fleet has grown by nearly 76% between 2017 and 2020.1 Given this tremendous growth on a large worldwide fleet, the climate change-induced increase in tropical cyclone intensity, paired with the recent congestion at major ports worldwide, amplifies the risk exposure for containers to be lost at sea.

Climate Change

Just looking at the North Atlantic alone, cyclone intensity has visibly increased over the last two decades, with eight of the ten most active years since 1950 occurring within the last 25 years.2 Per the United States Environmental Protection Agency, climate change is expected to affect tropical cyclones by increasing sea surface temperatures, a key factor that can influence cyclone formation and behavior.2 Globally, based on observations since 1980, the intensity and rate of intensification of tropical cyclones have increased similarly.3

Port Congestion

There has always been pressure on shipmasters to provide timely and economical delivery of cargo. Port congestion and supply chain shortfalls are delaying transits and putting masters in difficult positions in which they often choose to proceed through the path of a storm rather than adding miles and additional time to the transit. 80% of all goods are carried by sea with the container trade estimated at 60% of all seagoing trade, which caused issues when the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic hit.4

As consumers were quarantined in their homes, online orders began to surge and most of the goods being ordered were, and are, increasingly being carried on larger container ships that only a few major ports can accommodate.  This surge exposed shortfalls in containers, trucks and drivers, port workers, and aging transportation infrastructure. Ultimately, the logjam at these major container ports has created a trend for storing large amounts of cargo on single vessels with delays increasing the risk of cargo exposure to extreme weather events.

Recent Container Losses 

Between 2008 and 2019, there was an average of 1,382 containers lost at sea each year.5 Between late 2020 and 2021, the number of containers lost dramatically increased with several larger incidents including ONE APUS, which lost 1,816 containers on November 30, 2020, MAERSK ESSEN, which lost 750 containers on January 16, 2021, MAERSK EINDHOVEN, which lost 260 containers on February 17, 2021, and ZIM KINGSTON which lost 109 containers on October 22, 2021, among others. ZIM KINGSTON is a particularly relevant case because the vessel remained at sea, just off the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, was subjected to storm-related 16-to-20-foot seas due to port congestion and sustained 35 to 40-knot winds.6

Regulatory and Operational Preventative Measures

Container losses at sea are not a new concept and regulatory and operational preventative measures already exist. These measures, which can be adjusted based on changes in anticipated risk like storm severity, are essential for ship operators to safely stow and secure containerized cargo.

Trim and Stability Booklet

Container ships are typically required to provide the master with a Trim and Stability Booklet. The Trim and Stability Booklet supplies the master with rapid and simple process instructions to obtain accurate guidance on the stability of the ship.  This includes determinations for initial stability, which impact the stiffness or tenderness of the vessel. A stiff vessel tends to right itself in a quick and jerky manner, which can increase transverse accelerations experienced by the containers and stress securing of containers. A tender vessel has a slower roll that provides another form of test for container lashings as cargo is inclined for longer periods. The master must ensure compliance with the Trim and Stability Booklet as a first step in safe carriage of containers.

Cargo Securing Manual

Container loading, stowage, and securing must be in accordance with a Cargo Securing Manual approved by the relevant classification society. A ship’s Cargo Securing Manual provides guidance as to how cargo is stowed and secured for transit. The Cargo Securing Manual details securing arrangements suitable for the forces expected to affect the containers loaded on the ship. The forces on the containers act longitudinally, transversely, and vertically, and must be calculated based on accelerations anticipated in each direction. Additionally, the accelerations must be based on the ship’s route, voyage details, vessel length, service speed, vessel breadth and metacentric height, height of the cargo, force from wind pressure, and force from sea sloshing. The securing of containers typically consists of lashings of wire rope, chain, lashing rods, and tensioners. Stacking of containers make use of twist-lock locking devices, cones, or other stacking aids.

Modern containerships possess software that can aid the master or chief mate in determining compliance with the Trim and Stability Booklet and Cargo Securing Manual. This software is heavily relied upon by the modern cargo ship crew as a check on compliance with all criteria including required trim and stability, container stack weights and heights, and container lashing, among others, but the feedback provided by software and manuals are only as correct as the information provided as input.

A vessel’s master and chief mate must personally ensure cargo loading and securing are performed as intended. Many large shipping companies employ stevedoring companies, companies that specialize in loading and unloading vessel cargo, to load and secure containers on the ship in accordance with the Cargo Securing Manual. The chief mate is typically assigned as the cargo officer and oversees the loading, stowage, securing, and unloading of cargo.

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Expertise

Despite all the preventative regulatory and operational measures, stevedores and crews do make mistakes in implementation, engineers involved in plan development can miss something, or ships can encounter risks like unexpected heavy weather. Container losses can include multiple causal factors originating from stability of the ship, securing of the cargo, stack weight, stack height, and even complications like a loss of propulsion.

The complex mix of stability review, accelerations calculation, forces applied to lashings, weight distribution on decks, and other advanced calculations require an expert that is uniquely trained as a naval architect and marine engineer to truly get to the bottom of each loss. If the precise causal factors are not identified the first time, the same loss may reoccur.

Preserving Ship Data Following a Loss

In the aftermath of a large container loss, interested parties may request or move to compel forensic acquisitions of the ship’s electronic evidence for the purpose of preservation of the data contained within.  This can include computer, mobile phone, video recordings, and location-based data. Pre-emptively collecting this evidence in a forensically sound manner preserves the evidence in case of future litigation, ensuring that it is spoilation proof. Retaining a digital forensics expert for a forensic analysis is vital to safeguarding data preservation, data collection, and data recovery.

Ocean Marine Cargo Insurers

As large container ships become stuck in logjams at major ports worldwide, large amounts of cargo are left at risk to the more intense heavy weather events of recent years. Ocean marine cargo insurers must plan for the increased risk that can lead to major container losses due to the surge in shipments and lack of port resources.

It is essential for insurers to identify naval architects, marine engineers, and digital forensics experts to properly identify causal factors in the loss while protecting critical electronic evidence. Naval architects can review the Trim and Stability Booklet to ensure it was appropriately developed and meets regulatory requirements, examine Cargo Securing Manuals to ensure the specific accelerations and forces utilized in calculations are appropriate, and provide oversight on the input and output to any computer software tools utilized by the crew. Marine engineers can help uncover the causation behind any related loss of propulsion which exacerbated the severity of container losses by rendering the vessel defenseless against the sea state. Digital forensics experts ensure that critical ship electronic evidence related to stability and container securing is collected and safeguarded so data preservation, data collection, and data recovery is spoliation proof, in case of future litigation.

This article is shared by courtesy of ENVISTA Forensics www.envistaforensics.com– the global leader in providing comprehensive forensic consulting and engineering services.

Michael VenturellaMichael Venturella, Practice Leader

Michael Venturella has over 20 years of experience in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. His broad expertise and knowledge in the marine industry includes operation of deep draft commercial and military vessels, forensic marine investigation, marine survey, commercial shipbuilding and repair, salvage engineering, machinery, vital system automation, hull structural failures, and stability.

Learn more about Michael Venturella | Envista Forensics

Lars Daniel

Lars Daniel, Practice Leader
Lars Daniel is a Practice Leader in the Digital Forensics Division and holds 7 different certifications. He has provided forensic services to more than 600 criminal and civil cases, and appeared as an expert court witness for nearly 30 of those. He has co-authored two books: Digital Forensics for Legal Professionals, and Digital Forensics Trial Graphics: Teaching the Jury through Effective Use of Visuals.

 

Narjiss Ghajour Send an email February 16, 2022
1,785 6 minutes read
Photo of Narjiss Ghajour

Narjiss Ghajour

Editor-in-Chief of Maritime Professionals

980 Comments

  1. Both HER2 and SRC silencing led to potent repression of cell viability especially when combined with fulvestrant treatment, similar to the effect of ESR1 CCDC170 silencing [url=https://fastpriligy.top/]buy priligy tablets[/url] When the drugs that these medications contain were approved by the FDA, the medications were given orally or by injections

  2. An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I do believe thatyou should write more on this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but usually people do not talk aboutthese subjects. To the next! All the best!!

  5. Good day! This is my first visit to your blog!We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in acommunity in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on.You have done a wonderful job!

  121. discount drug pharmacy [url=https://discountdrugmart.pro/#]discount drug mart[/url] us pharmacy no prescription

  148. mexico drug stores pharmacies [url=https://xxlmexicanpharm.com/#]reputable mexican pharmacies online[/url] xxl mexican pharm

  167. I simply couldn’t leave your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard info an individual supply on your visitors? Is gonna be again often to inspect new posts

  169. I have read a few just right stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot attempt you place to make the sort of fantastic informative web site.

  170. Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any help is very much appreciated.

  172. There are actually quite a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That could be a great level to carry up. I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you carry up the place an important thing will probably be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged around issues like that, however I am certain that your job is clearly recognized as a good game. Each girls and boys really feel the impression of just a second’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.

  175. Wow! This could be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Wonderful. I am also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.

  176. Terrific work! This is the type of information that are meant to be shared around the internet. Disgrace on the search engines for now not positioning this put up upper! Come on over and talk over with my site . Thanks =)

  177. preman69 [url=https://preman69.tech/#]preman69 slot[/url] Pemain harus memahami aturan masing-masing mesin

  178. Thank you for every one of your hard work on this website. My mom enjoys making time for investigations and it’s really easy to see why. My partner and i notice all relating to the powerful medium you convey very helpful tips and tricks through your website and invigorate participation from other ones on this content and my princess is now becoming educated a great deal. Take advantage of the remaining portion of the new year. You have been carrying out a remarkable job.

  186. hello there and thank you for your information – I have definitely picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise several technical points using this web site, as I experienced to reload the site many times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for much more of your respective exciting content. Make sure you update this again soon..

  190. Hello There. I discovered your weblog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.

  202. slot88.company [url=http://slot88.company/#]slot88[/url] Kasino selalu memperbarui mesin slotnya

  275. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!

  289. pharmacie en ligne france fiable [url=http://kamagrameilleurprix.com/#]kamagra oral jelly[/url] pharmacie en ligne fiable

  296. pharmacie en ligne france fiable [url=http://pharmaciemeilleurprix.com/#]pharmacie en ligne france[/url] Achat mГ©dicament en ligne fiable

  306. Achat mГ©dicament en ligne fiable [url=https://tadalafilmeilleurprix.shop/#]cialis generique[/url] pharmacie en ligne france pas cher

  323. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of youruseful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.

  339. acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance [url=https://pharmaciemeilleurprix.shop/#]pharmacie en ligne pas cher[/url] pharmacie en ligne avec ordonnance

  344. acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance [url=https://kamagrameilleurprix.com/#]trouver un mГ©dicament en pharmacie[/url] trouver un mГ©dicament en pharmacie

  349. pharmacie en ligne livraison europe [url=https://pharmaciemeilleurprix.com/#]pharmacie en ligne sans ordonnance[/url] acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance

  353. I wanted to thank you for this very good read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it. I’ve got you book-marked to check out new things you post…

  356. acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance [url=https://pharmaciemeilleurprix.com/#]pharmacie en ligne pas cher[/url] Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe

  473. I blog quite often and I truly appreciate your content. This article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your Feed too.

  516. india pharmacy mail order [url=http://fastfromindia.com/#]buy medicines online in india[/url] cheapest online pharmacy india
    world pharmacy india

  574. Заходите РІ казино, чтобы испытать удачу.: balloon game – balloon казино

  575. https://neokomsomol.kz/# Играйте в казино, наслаждайтесь каждым моментом.

  578. balloon казино играть [url=https://neokomsomol.kz/#]balloon казино официальный сайт[/url] Азартные РёРіСЂС‹ РїСЂРёРЅРѕСЃСЏС‚ радость Рё азарт.

  586. I am very happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.

  589. balloon казино играть [url=https://neokomsomol.kz/#]balloon игра[/url] Играйте РїРѕ СЃРІРѕРёРј правилам РЅР° автомате.

  590. I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this info for my mission.

  606. balloon игра на деньги [url=https://akhbutina.kz/#]balloon казино играть[/url] Игровые автоматы доступны всем желающим.

  609. Сыграйте РЅР° деньги, почувствуйте азарт!: balloon игра – balloon game

  641. cheapest online pharmacy india [url=https://indiamedfast.com/#]online medicine shopping in india[/url] buying prescription drugs from india

  646. cheapest pharmacy canada [url=https://interpharmonline.com/#]canada pharmacy no prescription[/url] pharmacy com canada

  655. mexican pharmacy online order [url=https://mexicanpharminter.com/#]mexican drug stores online[/url] MexicanPharmInter

  659. legit canadian pharmacy [url=https://interpharmonline.com/#]most trusted canadian pharmacies online[/url] reddit canadian pharmacy

  664. buy generic 100mg viagra online [url=https://generic100mgeasy.shop/#]Generic 100mg Easy[/url] Cheap generic Viagra

  670. sildenafil online [url=https://generic100mgeasy.shop/#]Generic100mgEasy[/url] order viagra

  675. buy generic 100mg viagra online [url=http://generic100mgeasy.com/#]cheap viagra[/url] Generic100mgEasy

  681. I was skeptical relative to CBD at first off, but after trying them like https://joyorganics.com/products/delta-9-thc-tincture-citrus , I’m exceptionally impressed. They present a suitable and enjoyable custom to pleasing CBD without any hassle. I’ve noticed a calming object, primarily in the evenings, which has helped with both significance and sleep. The finery some is the pre-measured dosage, so there’s no guessing involved. If you’re looking for an unhurried and ambrosial detail to encounter CBD, gummies are obviously worth in the light of—nothing but survive steady to secure from a estimable brand!

  686. Generic100mgEasy [url=http://generic100mgeasy.com/#]Generic Viagra online[/url] Generic100mgEasy

  691. buy generic 100mg viagra online [url=https://generic100mgeasy.com/#]buy generic 100mg viagra online[/url] Generic100mgEasy

  699. viagra canada [url=https://generic100mgeasy.com/#]Generic 100mg Easy[/url] Generic Viagra for sale

  704. Kamagra Kopen Online [url=https://kamagrakopen.pro/#]kamagra 100mg kopen[/url] kamagra jelly kopen

  714. Tadalafil Easy Buy [url=http://tadalafileasybuy.com/#]TadalafilEasyBuy.com[/url] TadalafilEasyBuy.com

  719. buy Viagra online [url=https://generic100mgeasy.shop/#]buy generic 100mg viagra online[/url] Generic100mgEasy

  722. Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen [url=https://kamagrapotenzmittel.com/#]Kamagra kaufen[/url] Kamagra Original

  734. online apotheek [url=https://apotheekmax.shop/#]Betrouwbare online apotheek zonder recept[/url] ApotheekMax

  741. Apotek hemleverans idag [url=http://apotekonlinerecept.com/#]apotek pa nett[/url] apotek online recept

  747. ApotheekMax [url=http://apotheekmax.com/#]Online apotheek Nederland zonder recept[/url] ApotheekMax

  754. Apotheek online bestellen [url=http://apotheekmax.com/#]ApotheekMax[/url] Online apotheek Nederland zonder recept

  761. Beste online drogist [url=https://apotheekmax.shop/#]online apotheek[/url] Apotheek Max

  764. online canadian pharmacy [url=https://gocanadapharm.com/#]recommended canadian pharmacies[/url] canadian neighbor pharmacy

  769. canadian pharmacy online store [url=https://gocanadapharm.com/#]GoCanadaPharm[/url] canadian pharmacy 1 internet online drugstore

  775. india online pharmacy [url=http://wwwindiapharm.com/#]www india pharm[/url] india pharmacy

  780. canadian pharmacy price checker [url=https://gocanadapharm.com/#]certified canadian pharmacy[/url] canadian pharmacy no rx needed

  785. www india pharm [url=https://wwwindiapharm.com/#]indian pharmacy paypal[/url] top 10 online pharmacy in india

  790. my canadian pharmacy reviews [url=http://gocanadapharm.com/#]GoCanadaPharm[/url] canadian discount pharmacy

  794. AmOnlinePharm [url=https://amonlinepharm.shop/#]amoxicillin 500 mg[/url] amoxicillin 250 mg

  801. how to get amoxicillin [url=https://amonlinepharm.shop/#]amoxicillin online without prescription[/url] amoxil pharmacy

  807. lisinopril 1 mg tablet [url=https://lisinexpress.com/#]Lisin Express[/url] Lisin Express

  814. ZithPharmOnline [url=http://zithpharmonline.com/#]ZithPharmOnline[/url] ZithPharmOnline

  828. can you buy prednisone in canada [url=https://predpharmnet.com/#]Pred Pharm Net[/url] Pred Pharm Net

  836. guvenilir casino siteleri [url=https://casinositeleri1st.com/#]by casino[/url] deneme bonusu veren siteler casinositeleri1st.shop

  843. slot casino siteleri [url=https://casinositeleri1st.shop/#]guvenilir casino siteleri[/url] deneme bonusu veren siteler casinositeleri1st.shop

  847. slot casino siteleri [url=http://casinositeleri1st.com/#]guvenilir casino siteleri[/url] yeni siteler casinositeleri1st.shop

  851. sweet bonanza [url=http://sweetbonanza1st.com/#]sweet bonanza yorumlar[/url] sweet bonanza siteleri sweetbonanza1st.com

  857. lisansl? casino siteleri [url=https://casinositeleri1st.com/#]deneme bonusu veren siteler casino[/url] slot casino siteleri casinositeleri1st.shop

  864. Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to generate a very good articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

  871. sweet bonanza oyna [url=http://sweetbonanza1st.com/#]sweet bonanza 1st[/url] sweet bonanza yorumlar sweetbonanza1st.com

  877. Mexican pharmacy ship to USA [url=https://usmexpharm.com/#]UsMex Pharm[/url] certified Mexican pharmacy

  882. Mexican pharmacy ship to USA [url=https://usmexpharm.com/#]Mexican pharmacy ship to USA[/url] mexican pharmacy

  888. medication from mexico pharmacy [url=https://usmexpharm.shop/#]usa mexico pharmacy[/url] certified Mexican pharmacy

  899. USA India Pharm [url=https://usaindiapharm.com/#]UsaIndiaPharm[/url] USA India Pharm

  908. UsaIndiaPharm [url=http://usaindiapharm.com/#]п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india[/url] reputable indian pharmacies

  915. USA India Pharm [url=https://usaindiapharm.com/#]UsaIndiaPharm[/url] indian pharmacy

  927. world pharmacy india [url=http://usaindiapharm.com/#]cheapest online pharmacy india[/url] indianpharmacy com

  931. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.I will certainly comeback.

  942. best india pharmacy [url=http://usaindiapharm.com/#]mail order pharmacy india[/url] world pharmacy india

  946. I have been reading out many of your posts and i can state nice stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your blog.

  950. ed drugs online from canada [url=https://usacanadapharm.com/#]USACanadaPharm[/url] canadian 24 hour pharmacy

  957. canadian pharmacy [url=https://usacanadapharm.shop/#]usa canada pharm[/url] canadian pharmacy online store

  964. reputable canadian pharmacy [url=https://usacanadapharm.shop/#]legit canadian online pharmacy[/url] usa canada pharm

  970. reliable canadian pharmacy reviews [url=https://usacanadapharm.shop/#]reputable canadian online pharmacies[/url] usa canada pharm

  975. usa canada pharm [url=https://usacanadapharm.shop/#]USACanadaPharm[/url] USACanadaPharm

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button