In 2025, over 10% of inspected cargo units revealed safety deficiencies, underscoring ongoing issues with cargo declaration, packing, and securing before loading onto ships. The World Shipping Council reported that among 93,079 cargo units checked by authorities in seven countries, 9,645 were found deficient—an alarming rate of 10.36%. Identified problems included improper documentation, labeling, and packing, all of which pose risks such as damaged cargo, lost containers, and maritime fires. Joe Kramek, President and CEO of the World Shipping Council, emphasized the critical nature of correct cargo practices and the potential danger they pose to lives when neglected.
While the deficiency rate of 10.36% in 2025 showed slight improvement from 11.39% in 2024, it remains higher than rates seen in previous years, which had dropped to approximately 6.54% in 2019. Since 2021, the deficiency rate has exceeded 10% in three out of five years, highlighting a troubling trend within the shipping industry. The ongoing issues have been underscored by a rising number of container fires linked to misdeclared or improperly packed cargo, particularly concerning hazardous materials like lithium-ion batteries.
Inspection data from the seven reporting countries, including the United States and Germany, was submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), but concerns arise from the limited participation of member states. Kramek noted that only seven out of over 170 reporting countries is troubling and called for more nations to disclose inspection results to enhance cargo safety. The World Shipping Council has initiated a Cargo Safety Program to improve screening and inspection processes, aiming to catch dangerous cargo before it reaches shipping vessels. Although this initiative adds scrutiny, shippers still retain the primary responsibility for ensuring their cargo is properly declared and secured.
Despite efforts to improve safety, the persistent rate of deficiencies indicates that fundamental challenges in cargo handling are far from resolved. The ongoing risks associated with misdeclared or improperly secured containers remain a critical concern for the maritime industry as it continues to evolve and adapt to changing global shipping dynamics.
