Cargo Mishandling Accidents: When Supply Chains Fail at Sea

Maritime commerce has existed for thousands of years and remains the backbone of global trade today. The vast majority of goods we use every day—from clothing to electronics—travel by sea at some point in their journey. Although the global supply chain typically operates smoothly, errors in cargo handling can trigger serious accidents at sea, jeopardizing both human life and property.

Here, we will examine how cargo mishandling occurs, the risks it poses to seamen and dock workers, and the legal ramifications for companies that neglect proper safety measures. We will also explore why effective oversight and rigorous compliance are essential to maintaining safe and efficient maritime operations.

The Basics of Global Shipping

The International Chamber of Shipping estimates that about 90% of global trade moves by sea. Many vessels use standardized containers to streamline the transfer of goods from ships to trucks or trains, which saves time and money. However, this approach also introduces complexity. A single container may contain diverse items, including hazardous materials, raising the stakes for accurate labeling and loading. An error in packaging or declaring cargo can have dire consequences for a ship and its crew.

Multiple parties are involved in the shipping process: shippers who supply the goods, freight forwarders who manage logistics, stevedores who load and unload cargo, port authorities, and vessel owners. If any one of these participants shirks responsibility—by skipping an inspection, overlooking incorrect labeling, or failing to adhere to weight limits—the outcome can be severe, endangering the entire operation.

How Mishandled Cargo Causes Accidents

Cargo mishandling takes different forms, from improperly securing shipments to placing heavy items on top of lighter ones or concealing the true nature of dangerous goods. These can set off a chain of events that threatens the vessel and its personnel.

Shifting Cargo & Ship Stability

A ship’s stability depends on balanced weight distribution. If a container becomes unmoored in turbulent waters, it may slam against the interior of the hold or slide across the deck. This movement can cause the ship to list dangerously, potentially leading to a capsize. Even if the vessel remains afloat, shifting cargo can damage essential equipment, injure crew members, or puncture the hull.

Hazardous Substances

Certain goods—such as fuel, chemicals, or explosives—pose inherently higher risks than everyday items. International regulations require these products to be clearly labeled and stored under specific conditions. When these standards are ignored, hazardous cargo can leak, combust, or detonate with catastrophic results. Fires at sea are especially difficult to contain due to limited firefighting resources, while chemical leaks may produce toxic fumes that threaten both the crew and marine ecosystems.

Rushed Operations

Many ports operate under tight deadlines, forcing workers to load vessels at breakneck speed. Under pressure, they may skip essential safety checks or neglect to verify container weights. Over time, these seemingly minor oversights can accumulate, creating major hazards once the ship departs. Investigations into maritime incidents frequently reveal that insufficient planning or training played a major role and that the accident could have been prevented with more diligent company oversight.

The Real-World Consequences of Cargo Mishandling

MV Hyundai Fortune (2006)

One of the most notable mishandling incidents involved the MV Hyundai Fortune, a container ship traveling from Asia to Europe in March 2006. Roughly 60 miles off the coast of Yemen, a series of explosions rocked the vessel, sparked by improperly declared fireworks stowed among the cargo.

The force of the blast set off fires that tore through the deck and its containers, eventually destroying or damaging more than a thousand containers. Though the crew managed to abandon ship without loss of life, the financial and logistical fallout was immense. Investigators concluded that the disaster could have been prevented if the cargo had been accurately labeled and secured according to international regulations.

Maersk Honam (2018)

In March 2018, a major fire broke out aboard the Maersk Honam in the Arabian Sea. The blaze started in the forward holds, where several types of cargo, including potentially hazardous materials, were stored. Despite emergency efforts to contain the flames, the fire spread rapidly, causing extensive damage and tragically claiming the lives of five crew members. Subsequent inquiries pointed to improperly handled or misdeclared cargo as a possible factor in fueling the fire’s intensity.

These incidents underline the importance of strict compliance with regulations on labeling, inspection, and proper storage. Even a single instance of misconduct—such as deliberately misrepresenting a container’s contents—can result in enormous financial losses and, more gravely, endanger the lives of those who work at sea.

The Human Cost: Worker Safety

Large-scale maritime disasters often capture media attention because of their impact on commerce and the environment. However, more frequent and less publicized are the day-to-day injuries sustained by seamen and dock workers. A single container tipping over can crush a limb, while exposure to leaking chemicals can cause serious respiratory harm or other long-term health issues.

Maritime work is already laden with hazards, including heavy machinery, erratic weather, and lengthy shifts. Crews rely on employers and the various companies involved in shipping to strictly follow safety regulations. When shortcuts are taken—by ignoring standard inspections or overlooking weight guidelines—those at the front lines often bear the consequences.

Who Is Legally Responsible?

When cargo mishandling results in an accident, determining liability becomes a complex puzzle.

Multiple entities handle cargo throughout the supply chain:

• Shippers may be held accountable if they provide incomplete or incorrect details about a container’s contents.
• Freight forwarders share responsibility if they fail to confirm the cargo’s accuracy or ensure it is safely arranged.
• Stevedore companies could be liable if they improperly secure items or neglect critical safety checks during loading or unloading.
• Vessel owners must confirm that the ship’s crew is trained to handle specific cargo and that the vessel’s equipment meets required standards.
• Equipment manufacturers might be implicated if a container or securing device fails due to a design defect.

Laws That Apply

Several laws and guidelines govern the responsibilities of various parties in a maritime accident:

• Jones Act: A U.S. statute that allows injured seamen to sue their employer if negligence contributed to their injuries.
• Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA): Covers many workers who load, unload, build, or repair ships but do not qualify as seamen.
• International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code: Establishes rules for labeling, storing, and transporting hazardous cargo worldwide.
• Charter Party Agreements: Contracts between vessel owners and shipping companies, which may include detailed cargo-handling provisions.

The central legal question is whether these parties met their obligations to transport cargo safely. If they did not, and the lapse resulted in injuries or damage, lawsuits and insurance claims commonly follow.

A seafarer harmed by cargo mishandling may have the right to seek redress. A crew member who meets the criteria of a seaman could bring a claim under the Jones Act. If the injured individual falls under a different category—such as a longshore or harbor worker—the LHWCA might apply. When multiple parties are at fault (for example, a shipper supplying misleading container data and a vessel owner ignoring red flags), liability could be shared.

By examining every step in the supply chain, it is often possible to pinpoint precisely where safety measures failed and who should be held accountable.

Cargo Mishandling Prevention: Training & Enforcement

Cargo mishandling remains a critical threat in maritime shipping, an industry that depends on tightly interwoven supply chains. One incorrectly labeled container can spark a chain reaction that endangers an entire crew, causes millions of dollars in damage, or pollutes the ocean.

Proper training, consistent regulation, and open communication are the best ways to avoid cargo mishandling accidents. Precise documentation and labeling, frequent equipment inspections, thorough safety drills, and robust company policies that prioritize safety over speed can collectively reduce the potential for accidents. These measures ultimately save money by reducing costly legal battles, preventing environmental damage, and preserving worker well-being.

Since 2004, Arnold & Itkin has fought for the rights of maritime workers and families after the most devastating accidents and injuries. We successfully represented one-third of the Deepwater Horizon crew, widows of the El Faro crew who were lost in Hurricane Joaquin, and good people who have been impacted by every major maritime disaster in the past 20 years. If you or someone you love has been harmed in a cargo mishandling accident, we have the skill and experience to represent your interests and protect your rights.

Call (888) 346-5024 now for a free consultation with our maritime lawyers.