News / IMO rules reporting containers lost overboard mandatory

Photo: © W K Webster & Co Ltd

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has made the reporting of containers lost overboard a legal requirement from 1 January 2026.

The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee, which met at the organisation’s HQ in London last month, has formally adopted the new amendments to its Safety of Life at Sea (Solas) regulations and will require mandatory reporting of all containers lost at sea.

The amendment was welcomed by liner shipping lobby group the World Shipping Council (WSC).

VP of safety & security Lars Kjaer said: ...