Recent casualties on containerships underscore the persistent threat from mis-declared or improperly stowed dangerous goods. Effective cargo screening and container inspections are key to mitigating this risk. However, vessel sharing agreements and carrier alliances mean that even operators adhering to best practices are vulnerable to the standards of other carriers. Essentially, vessels are only as safe as the weakest link, as cargoes from one shipping line will eventually be transported by another.

The World Shipping Council (WSC), representing 90% of global liner shipping capacity, addresses this issue through its Cargo Safety Program (CSP). The CSP aims to establish an industry-wide approach to cargo screening and inspections, providing a comprehensive view of mis-declared and undeclared cargo. This initiative seeks to standardise efforts across ocean carriers, enhancing the safety of life and cargo at sea globally.

The CSP will build on the capabilities of NCB’s Hazcheck Detect and incorporate new AI models to screen for unusual behaviour, such as mis-declared weights or unfamiliar cargo from specific ports. Utilising keyword detection, fuzzy logic, and machine learning, the system will continuously evolve to better detect mis-declared or undeclared dangerous goods.

Additionally, the WSC programme includes a “reactive” container inspection system. Participating ocean carriers can request inspections of containers with high-risk profiles due to anomalies detected by the screening tool. Inspection results will be fed back to the screening tool to continuously improve the system. Approved inspection companies selected by the participating carriers will carry out these inspections.

The programme has completed its first phase, which includes a global screening keywords library and a container inspections company database. Initial carriers are now onboarding, with plans to trial the system during the 4th quarter of this year.

By fostering collaboration and leveraging advanced technologies, the WSC’s Cargo Safety Program represents a significant step forward in ensuring the safety of cargo transport. The collective effort of all stakeholders will be crucial to achieve a safer and more secure maritime environment.

You can learn more about CSP during the Policy Forum workshop of the IUMI 2024 anniversary conference.