Lost storage containers can harm a company’s supply, as a shipping company is responsible for transporting large quantities of goods from one location to another. Still, a lost shipping container means a company must take a hit for that missing product. Approximately 675 shipping containers are lost at sea each year, according to Port Technology. Recovering a lost storage container can be difficult. Preventative measures should be taken to avoid losing shipping containers at all costs. Let’s review this topic more in depth below.
What Happens to Shipping Containers Lost at Sea?
If a shipping container is lost, it will sink to the bottom of the ocean. They are often made of metal and are extremely heavy. If they are knocked loose from their means of transportation, they will sink and be unrecoverable in most cases.
Why Do Shipping Containers Fall Off of Ships?
Storage containers could fall off ships for various reasons. They could be improperly secured and slide off due to rough waters. A storm could hit, making it difficult for a ship to remain steady.
Getting the Container Before it Sinks
Recovering a shipping container after it sinks is difficult. It might be too deep to recover, depending on where it sunk in the ocean. If it sank in shallow waters, a diving team might be able to locate it. Otherwise, recovering a shipping container after it sinks is nearly impossible, and the company will likely claim that the product is lost.
Why Many Shipping Containers Are Never Recovered
Most lost shipping containers are never recovered. It is up to the company to recover their lost goods, and it can be challenging to find lost shipping containers in the sea after they sink. Most storage containers remain lost indefinitely.
The shipping company that owns the product is responsible for cleaning up any wreckage. It is irresponsible to leave waste in the ocean. However, it is very difficult to find a lost storage container because, once lost, it sinks to the bottom of the ocean. Shipping containers should be properly secured at all times to prevent loss. Contact your local shipping container company today if you need more information on shipping containers.
