Cargo Storage Failures Increase As Ships Circumvent South Africa
The maritime industry has reportedly witnessed a significant increase in cargo hold failures and container losses off the coast of South Africa, particularly around Cape Punahope. Many ships avoid the Red Sea and sail around South Africa, causing harsh and unpredictable weather conditions in the region.
The Cape of Good Hope waters are known for their harsh climate, with high waves and strong winds, which make navigation in this sea difficult. The winter in the southern hemisphere brings many problems, such as cargo lift damage, defects, and, most tragically, the death of merchant ship crew members.
The impact of waves on ships has caused significant casualties, revealing the many risks of working in such a harsh climate. Failure to store cargo is not just about cargo loss.
Cargo that is not properly secured can shift around on board, causing the ship to tilt and reducing its stability. The most common fire issues reported are chemicals and lithium-ion batteries, major safety unknowns. When cargo falls into the sea, it poses a serious hazard to other vessels and becomes part of marine pollution. Debris from lost containers often makes its way to shore, and costly environmental clean-up has become a recurring problem on the coast.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported that around 200 containers were lost at sea in July-August 2024. Global cargo ship loss figures were encouraging last year, decreasing from an estimated 1,000 containers per year to 221 containers; however, the frequency of incidents in South African waters suggests this positive trend could be reversed.
Increased ship traffic around Cape Town has placed an additional burden on shipping operations. Due to limited space, logistics operators must quickly load containers onto bulk carriers or place them on cargo. As a result, risks are increased. In addition, in the event of a major incident, ships at risk face limited assistance options. Shipping operators must improve the procedures outlined in their safety management systems to reduce the risks associated with severe weather.
Crews are encouraged to conduct docking checks at the beginning of a voyage to ensure that these checks can be conducted safely. Another operational risk is engine shutdown due to lubricant oil displacement in rough seas, which requires immediate attention. Increased cooperation is essential as the maritime industry seeks to improve safety.
Initiatives such as the MARIN TopTier project and upcoming regulations under the SOLAS agreement (requiring reporting lost containers) demonstrate efforts to address these issues. However, as more ships choose to sail around the Cape of Good Hope, operators must remain vigilant, promote safer stowage practices, and be better prepared for adverse weather conditions.
