The problem of poor packing of inter-modal transport has been an issue for some time and this is set to continue with ever larger container ships set to arrive at UK ports. With so many containers on a single vessel the risk of fire or contamination as well as potential instability presents an ever increasing threat to safety as well as the huge potential losses involved with cargo and vessel damage.
It has been estimated by Storrs-Fox that as many as 1 in 3 worldwide container shipments are not packed correctly yet currently there are few inspections and little is done to enforce the current guidelines. This looks like it may now change as several major organisations including the IMO, ILO and UNECE are poised to finalise a new code of practice which will attempt to improve this problematic situation.