WSC’s AI Screening is Reshaping Dangerous Goods Compliance

What the World Shipping Council (WSC) Launched

WSC introduced an AI-powered cargo screening tool as part of its Cargo Safety Program. The system:

• Scans millions of booking records in real time
• Uses machine learning + keyword scanning + pattern analysis
• Flags high-risk shipments for manual inspection
• Targets mis-declared, undeclared, or dangerous goods

The rollout is significant because carriers representing over 70% of global TEU capacity have signed on.

In other words, the vast majority of global containerized freight will be screened by this system.

Why This Matters: Misdeclared DG is a Problem

According to Allianz & global port-state data:

• 25%+ of cargo-related incidents involve mis-declared or improperly packaged dangerous goods.
• 11.39% of containers inspected in 2024 had deficiencies - mislabeling, incomplete forms, or packaging non-compliance.

Ports and carriers are under pressure to crack down, and this moves the entire industry toward proactive, automated compliance enforcement.

Implications for Rinchem and Shippers of Hazardous Materials

1. Packaging Standards Will Face More Scrutiny

AI doesn’t check packaging physically, but it flags anomalies in booking data that often correlate with packaging issues.

Examples of red flags:

1. 1. • Commodity descriptions inconsistent with the HS code
      • Weight/dimension mismatches suggesting undeclared DG
      • Known DG products booked as “general cargo”
      • Shippers with past compliance issues

As a result:

1. 1. • UN-spec packaging accuracy becomes non-negotiable
      • Carriers may require enhanced packaging documentation
      • Risky descriptions may trigger mandatory repacks or inspections

Hazmat specialists become even more valuable, because packaging diligence reduces the risk of delays, rejections, or fines.

2. Declarations & Documentation Must Be “AI-Friendly”

AI tools catch inconsistencies better than humans - this means documentation must be:

1. 1. • Clean
      • Complete
      • Consistent across systems
      • Free of ambiguous commodity descriptions (“chemicals,” “agents,” “mixture,” etc.)

If declarations don’t align with known DG patterns, shipments may be:

• Flagged
• Held
• Re-routed
• Subject to additional inspection charges

3. Carriers & Ports Will Expect Stronger Upstream Partnerships

Hazmat-focused 3PL/4PL partners will be increasingly evaluated based on:

1. 1. • Compliance record
      • Packaging consistency
      • DG training & certifications
      • Accuracy of digital documentation
      • Ability to respond to regulatory inquiries quickly

Because WSC’s system screens bookings before loading, carriers will prefer shippers and logistics partners with:

• Proven DG compliance
• Reliable upstream controls
• Clean booking histories

4. Higher Operational Friction for Non-Specialist 3PLs

Generalist 3PLs may struggle with:

1. 1. • DG packaging accuracy
      • Documentation standards
      • Handling rejections/holds
      • Real-time corrections for flagged bookings

This will likely push more chemical manufacturers to consolidate with specialist hazmat logistics providers who understand DG rules deeply and can maintain compliant data flows.

5. Industry Trend: Digital DG Compliance

Expect:

1. 1. • More carriers adding pre-load risk scoring
      • Ports integrating similar tools
      • Automated cross-referencing with UN hazard codes
      • Real-time data-sharing demands between 3PL → carrier → port → authority

This aligns with the broader push toward:

1. • Digital twins
   • Automated documentation
   • “Compliance-by-design” workflows
   • Predictive risk modeling for DG cargo

Sources:

• World Shipping Council: World Shipping Council Launches Industry- First Cargo Safety Program to Prevent Ship Fires
• The Maritime Executive – AI Tool Launched to detect Misdeclared and Dangerous Goods in Containers
• Allianz Safety & Shipping Review