The Secret Problem of Lost Shipping Containers: How They Hurt the Environment and Economy.

Shipping containers are big metal boxes used to transport goods across the ocean. Many containers fall into the sea each year, but it is difficult to know exactly how many.

Bigger ships and inaccurate cargo information can lead to accidents where containers fall overboard. Most containers arrive safely, but when they don't, the impact can be severe.

The World Shipping Council collects data on lost containers from its members. However, this data doesn't include losses from ships not in the group, leading to an underestimation of the problem.

Lost containers can damage the ocean environment, releasing harmful chemicals and plastic. For example, a ship sinking near Sri Lanka caused significant damage to marine life and the livelihoods of local fishermen.

Efforts are underway to improve transparency and reduce container losses, such as new reporting requirements by the UN. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen.