The Box That Changed Our Lives is a new photography contest aiming to raise awareness of the impact that container shipping has on our lives. Last year alone, the equivalent of about 141 million twenty-foot containers moved around the oceans loaded with goods. Aimed at amateur or ‘have-a-go’ photographers, the competition will run throughout August and September 2008. The overall best entry will be picked by a panel of judges, including US based professional photographer Nick Souza, and awarded the winning prize of a top-of-the-range Nikon SLR digital camera. Closing date for entries is Friday 12th September 2008.

Container Shipping Information Service Press Release

New global photography competition raises awareness of container shipping

30 July 2008, London – The Container Shipping Information Service (CSIS) has launched a worldwide photography competition to encourage people to think about the huge impact container shipping has on their lives.

Entitled ‘The box that changed our lives’ and aimed at amateur or ‘have-a-go’ photographers, the competition will run throughout August and September. It will generate awareness of the enormous benefit - usually unrecognised - that container shipping has on our lives.

Last year alone, the equivalent of about 141 million twenty-foot containers moved around the oceans loaded with goods such as fresh fruit, clothing, or sports articles. Container shipping affects every single one of us and this competition is designed to make people think about that.

To enter the competition, applicants will email their pictures to [email protected]. These pictures can be of unusual or innovative ways of using containers, such as community centres and housing, or simply images of the containers in transit onboard a ship or lorry. All entries will be considered and the ten best images each week will be published on the CSIS website, www.shipsandboxes.com.

The overall best entry will be picked by a panel of judges, including US based professional photographer Nick Souza, and awarded the winning prize of a top-of-the-range Nikon SLR digital camera, worth approximately €450. The two runners-up will also receive digital cameras worth more than €200.

Nick Souza said: “This is a great opportunity for individuals with an interest in photography to get involved and try out their skills. Having photographed the maritime sector for some 13 years, I know that as a global industry, container shipping can produce some amazing visuals. What’s particularly special about this competition is that because of the widespread use of containers, the perfect shot could be just around the corner. It’s likely to be the simplest of shots, but one that captures the positive impact that a container can have that wins the competition.”

Closing date for entries is Friday 12th September 2008. For further details and full terms and conditions of the competition, please visit http://www.shipsandboxes.com

Your Comments