Container ships regularly trade between Europe and North America and also between African and European ports.
Empty containers offer ideal transportation opportunities for stowaways.
There is a wide variety of hiding places aboard a container ship. The port and starboard service tunnels which run below decks between the side shell and the containers cells are particularly vulnerable. The open plan of container ports and their low level of security makes them easily accessible and provides able opportunity for potential stowaways. Every effort must be made to prevent stowaways from boarding when a vessel is in port or lying at anchor. Gangway and anchor watches should be mounted and the watchkeepers should be diligent in their duties.