'The report draws attention to the fact that shippers of containers are sometimes unable to weigh containers before shipment because they lack the facilities. Furthermore they are discouraged from doing so by factors such as import taxes, loading restrictions, and rail and road weight restrictions, said Storrs-Fox.

'The fact that many shippers or consolidators do not have easy access to weighing facilities, should not mean they loose sight of the significant safety implications of an overweight container even before it is loaded on board a ship.'

The detailed investigation also gave an insight into the accuracy of cargo declaration, particularly of dangerous goods. The most likely reason for incorrect placing of containers on deck is to accommodate declared dangerous goods.

'These findings simply underline the TT Club's continuing concern that cargo weight and hazardous details are habitually mis-declared, Storrs-Fox concluded. 'Although it was not seen as a primary cause of the accident, the MAIB report does state that mis-declaration erodes or eliminates existing safety margins, and it also points out that only in container shipping is the weight of the cargo unknown.'