Eyesea develops a new AI system to help detect lost containers in real time

Eyesea, in collaboration with EVI Safety Technologies, has unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI) system that detects and reports containers that have gone overboard using standard onboard deck and bridge cameras. By automatically identifying and counting containers as they fall from a ship or drift nearby, the system makes it possible to flag high‑risk debris before it becomes an invisible hazard for other vessels and coastal communities.

Once a potential container-loss event is detected, the system generates geo‑tagged images and structured incident data that can be transmitted immediately to vessel owners, flag states and, where appropriate, coastal authorities. This real‑time visibility helps reduce the time containers remain unreported at sea, limiting the potential for pollution from damaged cargo and facilitating earlier recovery operations where feasible.

The technology has been designed to support upcoming International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules that will make reporting of lost containers mandatory, including the position, number of units and information on their contents, particularly dangerous goods. By delivering precise, geo‑referenced imagery and standardized incident fields the moment a loss is detected, the Eyesea–EVI system helps bridge crews meet these expectations more consistently and with less manual effort.

The higher‑quality data generated can feed into drift modelling and incident investigations, improving understanding of how and where containers travel once lost. This, in turn, can support better risk assessments for sensitive ecosystems and coastlines, while informing future prevention and response strategies.

Eyesea’s new AI-powered container overboard detection system is strengthening both navigational safety and marine environmental protection – another example of the innovation being brought forward by a Green Marine International partner.

_{Photo: Eyesea}