Part 2 of our SOLAS 2026 Series
From 1st January 2026, new SOLAS Chapter V amendments require mandatory reporting of containers lost at sea or observed drifting. Ship masters must immediately notify nearby vessels, coastal states and flag states when containers go overboard with detailed information about position, cargo type, dangerous goods involvement and estimated drift.
But how do you accurately report what you’ve lost if you don’t know exactly what was on board in the first place?
More importantly, how do you prevent losses when the cause isn’t just bad weather, but operational failures that RFID technology can address?
Each lost container represents tens of thousands in cargo value, plus container costs, insurance claims, environmental damage and potential liability if drifting containers strike vessels or wash ashore. Better operational controls prevent container losses and RFID tracking provides the visibility needed to stop them before they happen.
What the new SOLAS container loss reporting rules require
The amendments to SOLAS Chapter V (regulations 31 & 32) create a standardised framework for reporting container losses and sightings to nearby vessels, coastal states and flag states. Reports must include position data, container details (type, dimensions, dangerous goods involvement) and environmental conditions. Flag states then notify the IMO via GISIS, creating a standardised global framework for container loss reporting.
You can’t report what you don’t know – and you can’t prevent what you can’t see
The regulation assumes you have accurate, real-time information about what’s on your vessel. In practice, many shipping operations rely on manual documentation, paper manifests and systems that don’t provide true container-level visibility.
When operators lose containers at sea, can you immediately answer:
- Which specific containers were lost (by unique identifier)?
- What cargo was inside?
- Were dangerous goods involved?
- What was each container’s exact position when loaded?
- How many containers were actually lost vs how many you think were lost?
Without RFID tracking or similar automated identification systems, you rely on manual counts, crew memory during an emergency, and paperwork that may not reflect last-minute loading changes.
Why containers are actually lost
Heavy weather exposes containers to extreme forces, but weather alone rarely causes losses. The real culprits are operational failures: weight misdeclaration throwing off stowage calculations and vessel stability, improper lashing and securing (twist locks not engaged, incorrect tension), poor stowage planning that doesn’t match stability plans, structural and equipment failures (twist locks, cell guides, hull flexing), and human factors like reluctance to reduce speed under schedule pressure or inadequate training on securing procedures.
Major incidents like MSC ZOE (342 containers, 2019) and ONE Apus (1,816 containers, 2020) resulted from combinations of these factors. The ongoing Red Sea disruptions forcing ships around the Cape of Good Hope since late 2023 have increased exposure to rougher Southern Ocean conditions, with most major carriers still avoiding the Suez route throughout 2026. Longer routes and harsher seas stress-test every operational weakness.
Accurate reporting matters because drifting containers are navigational hazards that can remain afloat for months. But prevention matters more.
How RFID container tracking prevents losses and enables accurate reporting
RFID tracking systems provide real-time visibility of every container throughout the supply chain, from origin to destination, including on-vessel location during transit.
Benefit 1: Proactive loss prevention
The biggest value of RFID is container loss prevention; addressing the operational failures that cause containers to go overboard before incidents occur.
RFID systems integrated with vessel loading plans and cargo securing procedures help prevent losses by:
Weight verification at gate operations: Weigh containers as they pass through terminal gates equipped with RFID readers and integrated scales. Cross-reference actual weights against declared weights in the shipping manifest. Flag discrepancies before containers are loaded, preventing misdeclaration issues that compromise vessel stability.
Stowage plan compliance: Verify that containers are loaded in positions matching the vessel’s approved stowage plan. RFID readers at loading points confirm each container’s identity and intended location. Alert crew if containers are loaded in wrong positions or if heavy containers are stacked on lighter ones.
Lashing and securing verification: Use RFID checkpoints to confirm that containers have passed through lashing stations and that securing equipment has been applied. Integrate with digital checklists requiring photographic evidence or sensor confirmation that twist locks are engaged and lashing rods are tensioned correctly.
Departure readiness checks: Automated pre-departure verification that all containers are accounted for, properly positioned and secured according to the cargo securing manual. Flag any containers that haven’t completed required securing procedures before the vessel leaves port.
Real-time location tracking during transit: Track which containers sit in areas of known structural stress (stern sections, uppermost tiers). Schedule inspections of securing equipment and cell guides based on actual usage and load history, not just time intervals.
Benefit 2: Accurate reporting when incidents occur
If containers are lost despite prevention measures, RFID tracking ensures you can comply with SOLAS reporting requirements immediately and accurately:
Instant identification: Scan remaining containers and compare against the loading manifest. The system tells you exactly which containers are missing by unique ID, not approximation.
Cargo details on demand: Pull up cargo descriptions, dangerous goods declarations, shipper information and destination instantly for inclusion in reports to authorities.
Position data: Depending on the type of tag used during the incident, you have precise location data for where they entered the water, improving search and warning accuracy.
Timeline reconstruction: Time-stamped data shows exactly when the loss occurred, supporting incident investigation and insurance claims.
Verified final counts: The “final message” required under SOLAS can be produced with confidence because you’re counting RFID tags, not relying on manual tallies during emergency conditions.
Tracking High-value Bulk Containers
CoreRFID provides active RFID for real-time tracking, passive RFID for checkpoint operations, or hybrid solutions – tailored to your operational requirements and integrated with existing vessel management systems.
Industrial Chemicals Limited (ICL) uses CoreRFID technology to track 3,000 intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) worth £500,000 across nine UK sites. Durable RFID tags, handheld readers and a web-based dashboard eliminated manual counting errors and provided instant visibility of asset location and value, delivering what ICL’s energy projects manager called “massively improved efficiency”.
The same principles apply to shipping containers: tag every container with durable RFID identifiers, scan at loading/discharge, maintain real-time manifest accuracy throughout the voyage, and instantly identify missing containers if losses occur.
The Commercial Benefits of Container Visibility
SOLAS container loss reporting is a regulatory requirement, but RFID tracking delivers commercial advantages that justify investment beyond compliance alone.
Reduced losses and claims
Better visibility means fewer containers lost, stolen or misdirected. Insurance premiums may decrease as your loss record improves.
Faster port operations
Automated container identification speeds up loading and discharge. Gates process containers without manual paperwork, providing competitive differentiation.
Customs and border efficiency
Automated manifests with verified cargo data simplify customs clearance and reduce the risk of penalties for documentation errors.
Asset utilisation
Know exactly where empty containers are located globally. Reduce repositioning costs and improve asset turns by matching available containers to new bookings faster.
Ready to Improve Container Visibility?
The new SOLAS container loss reporting requirements are now in force. Accurate reporting matters for maritime safety, environmental protection and supply chain integrity.
But reporting what you’ve lost is reactive. RFID tracking is proactive; preventing losses through better visibility, securing operations through automated verification, and ensuring you have accurate data when incidents occur.
Whether you’re tracking standard containers, reefers, dangerous goods or high-value cargo, we can design a solution that fits your operational environment and integrates with your existing systems.
Book a free consultation to discuss your container tracking requirements and explore how active RFID, passive RFID or hybrid solutions can improve visibility, reduce losses and support SOLAS compliance.
Because the best way to report container losses accurately is to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Read Part 1: New SOLAS Lifting Appliance Regulations: How Digital Asset Management Solves the Compliance Challenge