The World Shipping Council (WSC) announced the launch of its AI-powered Cargo Safety Program, an industry-first initiative designed to detect misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods in order to prevent ship fires, protect crews, safeguard vessels, secure customers’ cargo, and preserve the marine environment.
The program combines artificial intelligence–driven cargo screening with common inspection standards to identify high-risk shipments before they are loaded.
Ship fires are now at their highest level in more than a decade, according to Allianz’s Safety and Shipping Review 2025. Misdeclared dangerous goods are among the leading causes, accounting for more than a quarter of all cargo-related incidents.
“We have seen too many tragic incidents where misdeclared cargo has led to catastrophic fires, including the loss of life,” said Joe Kramek, President and CEO of the World Shipping Council. “The WSC Cargo Safety Program strengthens the industry’s safety net by combining shared screening technology, common inspection standards, and real-world feedback to reduce risk.”
Moreover, at the heart of the program is a digital cargo screening tool powered by the National Cargo Bureau’s (NCB) technology. It scans millions of bookings in real time using keyword searches, trade pattern recognition, and AI algorithms to flag potential risks.
Alerts are reviewed by carriers and, when necessary, verified through targeted physical inspections.
The program also introduces common inspection standards for verifying shipments and establishes a global feedback loop so that lessons from real-world incidents continuously strengthen prevention efforts.
Additionally, at launch, carriers representing more than 70% of global TEU capacity have already joined the program.
“By working together and using the best available tools, we can identify risks early, act quickly, and prevent accidents before they happen,” Kramek said. “The Cargo Safety Program is a powerful new layer of protection, but it does not replace the fundamental obligation shippers have to declare dangerous goods accurately. That is the starting point for safety, and it is required under international law.”
The initiative builds on WSC’s longstanding work to improve maritime safety, including developing cargo handling rules and supporting environmental protection measures. The Cargo Safety Program will continue to evolve with regular updates to its AI technology and inspection standards to address new and emerging risks.
“Ocean carriers transport the goods vital to the flow of global trade, and we have a responsibility to move them safely,” Kramek added. “By raising the bar on cargo screening, we are protecting lives, safeguarding the environment, and improving the integrity of the global supply chain.”
