The World Shipping Council (WSC) has launched an artificial intelligence program designed to detect misdeclared dangerous cargo. The initiative is backed by carriers representing more than 70% of global container capacity and uses US National Cargo Bureau technology.
The WSC Cargo Safety Program applies AI algorithms to screen millions of cargo bookings in real time, relying on keyword searches and trade pattern recognition to identify potential risks. The system has been developed in response to an increase in ship fires, with misdeclared goods linked to more than a quarter of cargo-related incidents over the past decade.
While the program is designed as a safety measure, the use of AI also generates commercial intelligence. Companies adopting the system early can predict risks and trade flows more accurately, improving operational efficiency, insurance terms, and compliance management.
Marine insurers are already using AI pattern recognition tools to classify high-risk declarations and to offer preferential rates to compliant shippers. Major ports are also integrating AI-assisted systems that combine declaration checks with automated physical inspections, creating a wider standard for cargo screening.
The reliance on US-developed systems has raised questions for operators active across multiple jurisdictions about technology sovereignty and the potential for leverage during periods of international tension. Governments are monitoring these developments, as the insights generated by AI screening provide visibility into trade flows that can also inform economic or security policy.
Industry observers note that larger carriers with resources to implement AI tools are gaining operational advantages, while smaller operators find it harder to adapt. This imbalance is contributing to consolidation in the shipping sector and the development of new service markets that aim to make AI accessible to smaller companies.
At the regulatory level, the adoption of AI screening varies across jurisdictions. This creates new layers of compliance complexity that generally benefit technologically advanced operators. Parallel systems may emerge, with Western-aligned carriers working under one set of standards and other regions pursuing different frameworks.
As ship fires remain a concern and regulatory scrutiny increases, AI-based cargo screening is expected to become a standard element of shipping operations, similar to radar or GPS. The pace of adoption and the distribution of its benefits may determine whether AI functions as a shared global safety tool or as a capability concentrated among early adopters and their partners.
Source: Container News