Recently, COSCO Shipping Container Lines issued an announcement regarding the transport of high-risk cargo. At first glance, it appears to be a routine reminder.

However, after reading it, many people have a distinct impression:

Regulations governing the maritime transport of dangerous goods and new energy cargo are becoming increasingly strict.

In particular, the announcement mentions that shippers must assume corresponding responsibility for cargo declaration information and transport documentation.

Why are inspections becoming stricter now?

In recent years, transportation risks associated with lithium batteries, new energy vehicles, and certain chemical cargoes have actually been quite significant.

With ships getting larger and shipping routes becoming denser, any issues such as temperature control abnormalities, packaging problems, or cargo reactions during transit often affect more than just a single container. In severe cases, they can even impact the operation of the entire vessel.

Compounded by the increase in extreme heat worldwide in recent years, the industry has placed greater emphasis on the stability of transporting new energy-related cargo.

For shipping companies, a single transportation issue often triggers a chain of costs, including insurance claims, port delays, and schedule disruptions.

“Vague declarations” will become increasingly difficult in the future

Another key point in this announcement is that cargo documentation must be more accurate and complete.

For example, information such as safety parameters and temperature control requirements for goods will need to be provided in greater detail going forward.

The review requirements for technical documentation, including MSDS, have also been significantly tightened. Certain “rule-of-thumb practices” previously common in the industry will become increasingly difficult to maintain.

For instance:

Vaguely described product names

Simplified documentation

Treating goods as general cargo

In the future, it will become increasingly difficult for such cases to pass inspection.

In particular, lithium batteries, new energy equipment, and certain chemical products are highly likely to become key targets for scrutiny.

Packaging and temperature control are also coming under increased scrutiny

The notice specifically states that high-risk goods must be packaged, secured, and lashed in accordance with international dangerous goods transport regulations.

The shipping cycle itself is relatively long. If cargo shifts, packaging is damaged, or temperature abnormalities occur during transit, the risks can easily be further amplified.

Certain new energy goods, in particular, are inherently sensitive to transport temperatures.

Some companies, in an effort to reduce shipping costs, have substituted standard shipping methods for those that originally required temperature-controlled transport. However, once temperature management issues arise, the resulting risks can escalate rapidly.

The maritime shipping industry is entering a phase of “strict compliance.”

Shipping lines are no longer merely issuing risk warnings; they are redefining liability.

Particularly for dangerous goods and new energy cargo, the industry is highly likely to enter a phase of even stricter compliance.

For freight forwarders, shippers, and exporters, future competition may extend beyond price and transit time. The completeness of documentation, the accuracy of declarations, and the ability to ensure transportation compliance will all become increasingly important.