More than one in 10 cargo transport units inspected during 2025 were found to have safety deficiencies, according to consolidated inspection data published by the World Shipping Council (WSC).
Authorities in Chile, Finland, Germany, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Sweden and the United States reported a total of 93,079 inspections. Deficiencies were identified in 9,645 units, representing a deficiency rate of 10.36%.
The rate was lower than the 11.39% recorded in 2024, but the WSC said the result remains too high given the safety implications of incorrectly declared, packed, marked or secured cargo.
Operational context
Placarding and marking of cargo transport units accounted for the largest share of reported deficiencies, at 46.72%. Stowage and securing failures inside freight containers, vehicles and other cargo transport units represented 26.57% of the total.
Marking and labelling of packages accounted for 10.67% of deficiencies, followed by documentation issues at 6.75%. Other findings included inappropriate or damaged packaging, at 4.19%; serious structural deficiencies, at 2.48%; and cargo segregation issues, at 2.21%.
Portable tanks or road tank vehicles not covered by the International Convention for Safe Containers accounted for 0.42% of deficiencies. No deficiencies were reported in relation to tie-down attachments of road tank vehicles.
WSC President and CEO Joe Kramek said proper declaration, packing, securing and marking are fundamental safety obligations, warning that failures in these areas can put lives at risk.
The industry body compiled the data after the International Maritime Organization discontinued its annual consolidated report in 2024. WSC said it had taken on the consolidation and publication of the inspection results to keep the information available to governments and the maritime sector.
However, the figures also highlight a significant reporting gap. Only seven of the IMO's more than 170 Member States submitted container inspection results for 2025, meaning the data cannot provide a complete global picture of cargo safety compliance.
Kramek said broader government reporting is needed to help authorities and the industry identify risks consistently and take action. The findings point to a need for improved compliance by shippers and cargo interests, alongside stronger inspection and reporting practices before dangerous or improperly declared cargo reaches vessels.