by Lloyd's List
THE World Shipping Council has announced the launch of its Cargo Safety Program, which will use shared screening technology combined with common inspection standards to identify misdeclared cargo before it is loaded.
Data from Allianz’s Safety and Shipping Review 2025 shows ship fires are at their highest level in more than a decade, and misdeclared cargo is one of the key risk factors.
WSC chief executive Joe Kramek said the industry had seen “too many tragic incidents where misdeclared cargo has led to catastrophic fires, including the loss of life”, and said the programme “strengthens the industry’s safety net by combining shared screening technology, common inspection standards and real-world feedback to reduce risk”.
At the heart of the programme is a digital cargo screening tool powered by the National Cargo Bureau’s technology.
Carriers will submit inspection data to the tool, which will analyse it and look for patterns. Other carriers within the programme may then be able to act on those learnings, for example if a certain trade on a certain route throws up more misdeclared cargo than others from inspections.
“By working together and using the best available tools, we can identify risks early, act quickly and prevent accidents before they happen,” Kramek said.
“The Cargo Safety Program is a powerful new layer of protection, but it does not replace the fundamental obligation shippers have to declare dangerous goods accurately. That is the starting point for safety, and it is required under international law.”
The programme has been welcomed by the International Group of P&I clubs, which called it an “important initiative designed to enhance the safety in the carriage of containerised cargo by identifying the risks of misdeclared shipments”.
“The IG recognises the programme’s potential to contribute to the protection of vessels, seafarers and the marine environment, and expresses its support for widespread adoption across the container shipping sector.”
Cargo insurer TT Club highlighted the frequency with which fires at sea take place; one every 60 days on average.
“Reducing this frequency demands more than compliance; it requires transparency, vigilance and a willingness to share and act on data across the supply chain,” it said.
“By bringing stakeholders together and leveraging better risk information, WSC’s Cargo Safety Program is an important step toward preventing incidents, protecting lives and strengthening global trade resilience.”
