The World Shipping Council (WSC), the global liner shipping lobby group, has unveiled its Cargo Safety Program, an industry-led initiative that leverages artificial intelligence to detect misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods. The move comes amid a sharp rise in ship fires, with Allianz’s Safety and Shipping Review 2025 noting that such incidents are now at their highest level in more than a decade.
At the core of the program is a digital cargo screening tool developed with the US National Cargo Bureau (NCB). The system scans millions of bookings in real time using keyword searches, trade pattern recognition, and AI-driven algorithms to flag high-risk shipments. Suspicious cases are escalated for review by carriers and, where necessary, targeted physical inspections.
The program also sets common inspection standards and creates an incident feedback loop to incorporate lessons from real-world cases. At launch, carriers representing over 70% of global teu capacity have signed on.
“Too many tragic incidents have resulted from misdeclared cargo, causing catastrophic fires and loss of life,” said Joe Kramek, president and CEO of WSC. “By sharing screening technology and standards, the Cargo Safety Program adds a powerful new layer of protection across the industry.”
Misdeclared dangerous goods are estimated to account for more than a quarter of cargo-related ship fires. Recent data also shows over one in 10 shipments have deficiencies, underscoring the urgency of the initiative.
While AI-led detection offers stronger safeguards, WSC emphasised that the primary responsibility remains with shippers to accurately declare dangerous goods, a requirement under international law.