Based on the 2011 survey results, the World Shipping Council estimated that on average there were approximately 350 containers lost at sea each year during the 2008-2010 time frame, not counting for catastrophic events.ontainers Lost – 2008 to 2013. For the combined six year period from 2008 to 2013, the WSC estimates that there were 546 containers lost on average each year, not counting for catastrophic events.