The Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) is launching a campaign to make mariners aware that more than 10,000 shipping containers swept overboard from cargo ships each year are out there, floating just below the surface.

The NZ insurers want the international shipping rules to be tightened to ensure ships alert authorities if they lose containers. ICNZ CEO Chris Ryan says there are two main risks associated with drifting containers.

“The first risk is to sailing boats and ships that come into contact with the containers,” he said. “The second is of course, to insurance companies.”

The ICNZ is not aware of the number of claims made each year, but Mr Ryan says it is thought that at least one NZ fishing vessel sank in 2002 as a result of hitting a large container. “It is not only the boats at risk but also people’s lives,” he said. “Many larger craft are made from aluminium and if they’re hit they damage very easily.”

Under NZ law any ship that loses a container in local waters is obliged to notify it immediately. But Mr Ryan says the system is ineffective.

“Specific questions need to be asked. There may need to be physical inspections of carriers to see that shipping containers are intact. That may be what it takes.”