Tightening The Net Around Undeclared Dangerous Goods
The safety net around dangerous goods moving by sea is becoming much tighter. Yang Ming’s recent decision to join the World Shipping Council’s Cargo Safety Program takes participating carriers to around 80% of global container capacity, giving the initiative reach across most of the world’s container trade.
This matters because misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods remain a serious and preventable risk. A container ship fire now occurs, on average, every 17 days, while misdeclared cargo is linked to more than a quarter of cargo-related incidents.
The stakes are high. A fire at sea can quickly become difficult to contain, particularly when a vessel is carrying large numbers of containers and the source is not immediately known. The impact can extend far beyond the vessel itself, affecting crew safety, cargo owners, port operations, insurers and the marine environment.
The programme combines shared screening technology, common inspection standards and feedback from real incidents. Digital tools assess booking information in real time, looking for suspicious keywords, unusual trading patterns and inconsistencies that may warrant further checks or a physical inspection.
For those tempted to cut corners, the implications are clear. Calling lithium batteries “general cargo”, providing a vague cargo description, using an incorrect UN number or hazard class, understating quantities, or declaring goods under the wrong packaging or packing group can all create warning signs.
The legal responsibility for accurate declaration still sits with the shipper. However, with more carriers sharing a consistent approach to identifying risk, there are becoming fewer opportunities for unsafe cargo to pass unnoticed through the supply chain.
Evolution Forwarding supports businesses with every aspect of dangerous goods logistics, including classification, documentation, packing, training and compliance. Getting it right before a booking is made protects people, cargo and your wider supply chain.
