Thursday 20 March 2025
We have issued a safety alert to raise awareness of the structural and stowage requirements for shipping containers and other cargo transport units (CTUs) in Australian ports.
The alert comes in response to a rise in improperly stowed CTUs and structural issues identified during inspections.
The safety warning is for:
- anyone who packs, sends, or stows cargo
- packers of shipping containers
- shippers
- container owners
- ship owners.
Two recent incidents involved improperly packed CTUs that resulted in catastrophic structural failures. These failures posed risks to vessels and crew, as well as port operations and maritime supply chains.
These types of incidents show how important it is to follow structural and stowage guidelines.
What you should do
All involved in cargo handling should:
- review safety protocols
- ensure compliance with international cargo handling standards to mitigate risks.
The safety alert shows the importance of proper cargo handling practices in preventing dangerous incidents at sea and in port facilities.
Read the safety alert.