{"id":75707,"date":"2026-02-04T06:22:04","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T09:22:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shipping.einnews.com\/article\/889260539"},"modified":"2026-02-04T06:22:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T09:22:04","slug":"west-sussex-shipping-containers-recovered-or-believed-to-have-sunk-says-coastguard-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/west-sussex-shipping-containers-recovered-or-believed-to-have-sunk-says-coastguard-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"West Sussex: Shipping containers ‘recovered or believed to have sunk’, says coastguard agency"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most of the shipping containers that fell from vessels in January and December have been recovered or have sunk, according to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).<\/p>\n

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A total of 40 containers fell off three vessels between December 6, 2025 and January 8, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Several containers and their contents \u2013 including frozen chips, onions, polystyrene and bananas \u2013 washed up along the Sussex coast. Fragments have also been recovered from the sea, the MCA said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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An MCA spokesperson said: “The break-up of some containers has hampered recording, but it is estimated most have now been recovered or believed to have sunk relatively close to the point of loss.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A shipping container at Elmer Beach. Photo: Eddie Mitchell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\u201cIn response, HM Coastguard has regularly sent fixed-wing aircraft to surveil waters off the Isle of Wight, east Hampshire and East and West Sussex<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Officers attended at Seaford on 13 January. HM Coastguard has broadcast navigational warnings in the affected areas. Mariners should always keep a proper lookout while at sea and report hazards to HM Coastguard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe vessels\u2019 owners are responsible for recovering the containers, which is being managed through a tactical coordination group of stakeholders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“HM Coastguard has closely monitored the situation, liaising with the operators, salvors, local authorities and other organisations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe three vessels all made timely reports of their cargo loss to HM Coastguard, as required under International Maritime Organization convention. The MCA will always assess suspected significant breaches of maritime regulations.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Local authorities and volunteers have been working hard to clear the items from beaches, and clean-up operations are being scaled back.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: \u201cThe volume of waste has decreased substantially and work is underway to demobilise the response and return the job of managing the shoreline back to the district and borough councils as business as usual.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe operation in West Sussex spanned more than 60km of shoreline from The Witterings to Shoreham and brought together multiple agencies, teams, personnel, volunteers and members of the communities to organise efforts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cIt has been protracted and complex, encompassing surveys, assessments and logistical planning to recover waste around tidal and weather conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cOur priorities throughout have remained public safety and protecting the environment<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe impressive efforts of volunteers from local communities has contributed hugely to clean-up efforts and we remain grateful to everyone who has stepped up to help.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n