Did you know that over 1,000 containers are lost in the ocean every year?

According to the World Shipping Council, about 1,000 to 1,500 containers are lost at sea each year.

While the exact number varies, the average estimate for recent years is about 1,382 containers per year.

Reasons for these losses include bad weather conditions, improper stowage of cargo and ship accidents.

And one container of sneakers lost in the 1990s helped scientists study ocean currents, as shoes have surfaced on shores around the world.

It’s not all romantic, however: many containers can contain hazardous cargo, from chemicals to plastic, which harms the marine environment.

Industry representatives recognize that in one way or another, all containers lost at sea pose a safety and environmental threat.