According to a 2017 survey of ocean carriers by the World Shipping Council (WSC), an average of 1,390 containers are lost at sea each year based figures from 2014 to 2016. This number includes ‘catastrophic events’, where more than 50 containers are lost during a single event.
A 10,000 TEU containership lost about 70 containers overboard on Saturday night (03/03) while about 17 miles off Oregon Inlet, North Carolina.
The U.S. Coast Guard is warning mariners of navigation hazards.
The 324-meter Maersk Shanghai contacted USCG watchstanders at Sector North Carolina’s command center via VHF-FM marine radio channel 16 on Saturday evening notifying them that they lost approximately 70 to 73 cargo containers due to high winds and heavy seas.
The ship departed from Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday bound for Charleston, South Carolina, where it was due to arrive Sunday, according to ship-tracking data.
