Sixteen containers were lost in rough seas near Portsmouth, leading to a safety investigation and a major cleanup effort.

The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has started a formal investigation into the loss of 16 refrigerated containers from the Liberia-flagged cargo ship Baltic Klipper. The containers fell overboard on December 6 as the ship approached Portsmouth in bad weather.

The incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. local time, about three nautical miles east of the Isle of Wight, as the ship was rolling heavily while preparing to take on a pilot. At that time, strong south-westerly winds and rough seas were impacting the area. Initial findings suggest that some containers were not properly secured, a key focus of the safety investigation.

This incident caused the temporary closure of the Solent deep-water channel due to safety risks from partially submerged containers, disrupting traffic to local ports. So far, 13 of the 16 containers have washed ashore along the West Sussex coast, including areas like Selsey, Bognor Regis, and Pagham Harbour. Three containers are still missing.

The containers held non-hazardous cargo—eight contained bananas, two had plantains, one held avocados, and five were reported to be empty. Their contents, along with polystyrene insulation, have spread across the beaches and into nearby residential areas, leading to a large-scale cleanup operation.

The cleanup is being coordinated by Arun District Council, Chichester District Council, and West Sussex County Council, working in partnership with the environmental response firm Ambipar. “The first step in this process is to assess the sites and the extent of the issue to create effective plans,” the councils stated jointly.

Ambipar has sent teams to the shore to assess and collect debris, which is then taken to a designated car park for proper disposal. Crews have also visited nearby homes to help residents clear debris that ended up in their gardens and properties.

HM Coastguard has initiated an air search using helicopters and planes to locate the remaining containers. They are working closely with the ship’s owners, who are responsible for the recovery. Safety cordons remain in effect in affected areas, with support from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Sussex Police.

Authorities have cautioned the public not to put themselves at risk while trying to help. “While we appreciate the desire to assist, it’s important to prioritize safety, as there are sharp metal items on the beaches from the containers,” the councils advised, reminding people to leave collected debris in designated areas for disposal.

The MAIB investigation will look into the practice of loosening or removing cargo-securing measures while vessels are still underway and examine the environmental impact of the spill. The objective is to understand what happened, identify contributing factors, and make recommendations to avoid similar situations in the future.

No injuries have been reported. If anyone sees more containers, they are urged to contact HM Coastguard at 0344 382 0560.

Authorities have indicated that the cleanup will take some time and thanked community members for their patience and support.