Eyesea and EVI Launch AI System to Detect Containers Lost Overboard Using Existing Cameras

Maritime intelligence platform Eyesea and EVI Safety Technologies unveiled on December 19, 2025 an artificial intelligence system that automatically detects and reports containers lost overboard, now entering live trials on operational vessels—addressing a persistent safety hazard where an estimated 1,000-3,000 containers are lost at sea annually, creating navigation dangers for other vessels and environmental damage from cargo dispersal. The system represents practical AI deployment using existing shipboard infrastructure rather than requiring costly new sensor installations. Computer vision leverages existing cameras: The technology applies advanced computer vision and machine learning algorithms to standard deck and bridge cameras already installed on most commercial vessels, enabling identification of containers as they fall from a vessel or when they are sighted drifting at sea. This approach dramatically reduces implementation barriers since ship operators avoid purchasing specialized detection equipment, instead extracting new safety value from existing camera infrastructure through software enhancement. The AI system processes video feeds continuously, recognizing the distinctive visual signatures of container loss events and distinguishing them from normal deck operations. Automated regulatory reporting: Once an incident is detected, the platform automatically records the event and transmits structured, geo-tagged data to registered shipowners, flag administrations, and coastal authorities where relevant. This capability directly supports upcoming IMO mandatory reporting requirements for lost containers, which require rapid reporting of container position, quantity, and cargo details—particularly critical for dangerous goods where delayed notification creates compounding environmental and safety risks. The automated documentation with precise timestamps and coordinates enables crews to meet regulatory obligations with greater accuracy than manual reporting processes that rely on crew recollection and position estimates after the fact. Industry context and timing: Container losses remain a recurring feature of global shipping incidents, with multiple cases reported in recent weeks underscoring the industry's push for faster detection, better data, and more transparent reporting. Eyesea Founder Graeme Somerville-Ryan noted that container loss detection was one of the first use cases built into the platform, describing the transition from simulation testing to real-world deployment as validation of practical AI application addressing genuine maritime safety challenges. The system complements Eyesea's broader maritime intelligence platform capabilities while creating specific value for container shipping operations. Commercial implications for ship operators: Early detection and accurate reporting reduce legal and commercial exposure from container losses, where delayed notification can result in regulatory penalties, insurance complications, and liability for damages caused by floating debris. The geo-tagged incident data creates defensible documentation for insurance claims and regulatory inquiries, while automatic transmission ensures reporting deadlines are met regardless of crew workload or communication challenges. For ship managers overseeing diverse fleets, the standardized reporting format enables consistent incident documentation across vessels without requiring specialized crew training for each detection and reporting scenario.
[Maritime Gateway]

This story is part of the Maritime AI Digest of 21 December 2025.