Spike in containers lost at sea

[John Arton]

Interesting article in gcaptain regarding the rise in containers lost at sea and some of the reasons behind the losses.
Rgds
J.A.
https://gcaptain.com/shipping-contai...eid=3b737aa316

[Ivan Cloherty]

A lot of words saying what we seamen knew already. Surprised there was no mention on the rules of relaxation of lashings authorised by the IMO Safety Committee last year, which were no doubt seized on by shipowners to expedite time in port by lack of substantial lashings labour and time. How the safety committee came up with the idea of instituting laxer rules, when common sense (seamanship) dictates the higher the stow the more lashing required because of the lateral forces exerted. Did any of the committee actually go to sea, or are they all insurers, underwriters and owner cargo representatives, the latter rather than seafaring superintendents working for the companies.

Having worked as a supt for three different nationality companies, the chartering dept/cargo/vessel fixers did not have one ex seafarer in their ranks (all were qualified shipbrokers, but most didn't know the sharp end from the blunt end) whilst fixing vessels for cargoes totally unsuitable for that vessel, seems not much has changed.

[happy daze john in oz]

Contents and ports of call have a lot to do with this.
No one knows at times what is in them, then there is the port of call route.
So no matter the weight if the heaviest is for the first port of call it will be at the top of the pile.

Some years back when working at the Uni we had a new lecturer and family coming from UK.
Packer their complete household into a container, lost at sea in the Indian ocean.
Arrived with very little.