The World Shipping Council (WSC) latest report revealed: In 2024, 11.3% of the inspected containers worldwide had defects, nearly doubling from 6.54% in 2019. Even more alarming is that this data is based on only77,600 inspections in 7 countries (led by the US and Germany), where 8,850 containers were found to have problems, with 9% of the defects concentrated in "low-level errors" such as incorrect identification and improper stowage.

"Incorrect identification is the first sign of danger. TT Club risk prevention consultant Peregrine Storrs-Fox noted that "when seafarers or dockers see the wrong label, it may be too late to take the time to take safety measures."

The rampant false declaration stems from the shipper's frantic pursuit of freight rates. To avoid the surcharge for dangerous goods,ippers tamper with the nature of the goods (such as falsely declaring lithium batteries as ordinary electronic products), through forging container weights, ignoring fixing requirements, or even directlyholding dangerous goods. From the "MSC Flaminia" explosion to the "ONE Apus" pile collapse, according to Lloyd's Register, false declaration is the third inducement for container ship accidents.

"One in ten containers has a safety hazard, which is not only a data issue, but also a life-and-death game human beings, cargo, and the marine environment!" said Joe Kramek, President of the WSC.

The WSC launched a joint initiative with multiple liner companies introduce the world's first intelligent management system for container defects, expected to go live within weeks. Developed by the US National Cargo Bureau (NCB), the software analyze historical data through machine learning to automatically flag suspicious containers (such as shippers who frequently change declared content), and participating shipping companies need to submit lists of defective containers to form industry-level risk database. It also calls for more countries to join data sharing to fill the monitoring blind spots of the current 7 countries reporting. It is an upgraded version of Hapag-Lloyd Cargo Patrol system, but the new system covers the entire industry and mandates the use of AI to improve screening efficiency.

Despite the support the industry, challenges remain. It is reported that the WSC has submitted an action plan to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), striving to bring the defect rate down to 5% by 2026.