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Lost shipping containers

Containers lost overboard: floating or half-sunk hazards to boats, sometimes with dangerous cargo.

Why it is a problem

Containers can float just below the surface for weeks: a collision hazard for small boats and yachts.
Cargo spills: plastics (e.g. pellets 'nurdles'), consumer goods and sometimes dangerous goods wash up on beaches.
Sunken containers damage the sea floor and can leak contents for years.

How many: an estimated 1,478 containers were lost at sea in 2025 out of about 280 million transported; one incident alone accounted for 640 (World Shipping Council). The 10-year average to 2024 was 1,274 a year. [source] [source]
Why: heavy weather, ship motion (parametric rolling), poor lashing or mis-declared weights; a few big incidents cause most losses.
Reporting: since 1 January 2026, ships must report lost containers to nearby ships, the nearest coastal State and the flag State (IMO SOLAS chapter V). [source]
How we track them: only when reported (NOAA IncidentNews, public reports). There is no satellite detector for containers. We drift them with about 1.5% windage because they float low.
Limits: positions are approximate; many losses are never reported publicly.

Everyone: Report drifting containers to the coast guard; do not open them.
Boaters: Keep a lookout, especially after storms on shipping routes; report sightings with position.
Industry & policy: Correct weight declaration and lashing, weather routing, and the new mandatory IMO reporting. [source]

Do not touch oil, tar balls, dead animals or unknown containers; keep children and pets away; never board a derelict vessel.

Anywhere at sea: Call the local coast guard on VHF channel 16 or your country's emergency number. Give position, time, what you see, and photos if safe.
United States (incl. Puerto Rico, USVI, Gulf coast): Oil or chemical spills: US Coast Guard National Response Center, 1-800-424-8802 (24 h), nrc.uscg.mil. Derelict vessels: state contacts in NOAA's ADV InfoHub.
Florida red tide / fish kills: FWC fish kill hotline 1-800-636-0511, or report online at myfwc.com. Health questions: Florida Poison Information Center 1-800-222-1222.
Mexico: Emergencies 911. Navy (SEMAR) for pollution at sea; environmental complaints to PROFEPA.
Brazil: Maritime emergencies 185 (Marinha do Brasil). Environmental reports: IBAMA (Linha Verde).
Chile: Maritime emergencies 137 (DIRECTEMAR, free, nationwide).
Argentina: Nautical emergencies 106 (Prefectura Naval Argentina).
Colombia, Peru, Central America and others: Contact the national maritime authority / coast guard (e.g. DIMAR in Colombia, DICAPI in Peru) or the local port captain.
Also on this site: Use Report an incident on the map. Reports appear marked unverified. This site does not alert authorities for you.