Over 200 Containers Go Overboard in Cargo Ship Catastrophe

Earlier this month, one of the world's biggest cargo ships suffered the loss of over 200 containers due to rough weather in the North Sea. The images released depicting the MSC ZOE containers tumbling into the sea are a particularly poignant illustration of the unpredictability that pervades supply chain.

Hundreds of MSC ZOE containers fall overboard during a storm. [Photo: gcaptain.com / Havariekommando]

According to a report in Seatrade Maritime News, the containers included a wide variety of goods: everything from toys to furniture to in some cases, dangerous flammable material. The event left manufacturers and shippers all around the world scrambling, as estimates for the total damage skyrocketed from an initial estimate of 30 lost containers up to 270.

It's catastrophes like these that highlight the need for a reliable, global real-time visibility solution. With real-time awareness of both the location and condition of valuable in-transit goods, it becomes possible to pinpoint problems and resolve them right away -- sometimes even before any damage is done.

With always-connected multi-sensor tracking devices attached to key shipments, manufacturers can keep an eye on their goods, enabling them to respond proactively when damages or delays occur. Instead of waiting for updates from carriers, or worse, from unhappy customers, the manufacturer has the information they need to prepare for and address problems right away.

Supply chain is a full of surprises. From traffic jams to delays in customs to containers falling overboard, you never know what might happen to your shipments as they travel from point A to point B. But if you'd like a little peace of mind, investing a visibility solution like Tive can give you the heads up you need to take some of those surprises out of your supply chain. To learn more, request a trial with Tive today.