The World Shipping Council (WSC) has announced the launch of its Cargo Safety Program, a sector-driven initiative to detect incorrectly declared or undeclared dangerous goods in order to prevent shipboard fires and protect crews, vessels, customer cargo, and the marine environment.
The program combines cargo screening using artificial intelligence and common inspection standards to identify high-risk, incorrectly declared or undeclared shipments before they are loaded. Shipboard fires are at their highest level in more than a decade, according to Allianz’s ‘Safety and Shipping Review 2025’ report. Incorrectly declared dangerous goods are a leading cause of shipboard fires, responsible for more than a quarter of all cargo-related incidents.
“We have witnessed too many tragic incidents where misdeclared cargo has led to catastrophic fires, including the loss of human life,” said Joe Kramek, President and CEO of the World Shipping Council. “The WSC’s Cargo Safety Program strengthens the industry’s safety net by combining shared inspection technology, common inspection standards, and real-world feedback to reduce risk.”
Digital Cargo Inspection Tool
The core of the program is a digital cargo inspection tool that uses technology from the National Cargo Bureau (NCB). It scans millions of bookings in real time using keyword searches, commercial pattern recognition, and artificial intelligence-based algorithms to identify potential risks. Alerts are reviewed by carriers and, when necessary, verified through targeted physical inspections.
The program also establishes common inspection standards to verify shipments and an incident feedback loop to ensure that lessons learned from real cases reinforce prevention. At the time of its launch, carriers representing more than 70% of global TEU capacity have joined the program.
“By working together and using the best tools available, we can identify risks early, act quickly, and prevent accidents before they happen,” said Kramek. “The Cargo Safety Program is a powerful new layer of protection, but it does not replace the fundamental obligation that shippers have to accurately declare dangerous goods. That is the starting point for safety and is a requirement of international law.”
Enhancing Maritime Safety
The launch builds on the WSC’s long-standing work to enhance maritime safety, from developing cargo handling standards to supporting environmental protection measures. The program will continue to evolve, with regular updates to its technology and standards to address new and emerging risks.
“Shippers transport goods vital to the flow of global trade and we have a responsibility to transport them safely,” added Kramek. “By raising the bar for cargo screening, we protect lives, safeguard the environment, and enhance the integrity of the global supply chain.”
