Banana Bonanza on West Sussex Beaches After Containers Fall at Sea
Clean-Up Underway with Warnings Over Damaged Containers and Unfit Fruit
A rather unusual maritime mishap has washed up along the South Coast, as 16 shipping containers, most filled with bananas, tumbled overboard from the cargo vessel Baltic Klipper near the Isle of Wight.
The incident occurred on Saturday, 6 December, as the ship approached the port of Portsmouth. Eleven of the containers have since been spotted along West Sussex beaches, including seven in Selsey, two at Pagham Harbour, and two at Bognor Regis, while the remaining containers remain adrift offshore.
Thankfully, no crew members were injured, and the cargo is non-hazardous, though one container broke open on Selsey beach, scattering fruit along the sand. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area, as fragments of metal from damaged containers may be present, and the fruit should not be consumed.
The clean-up is well underway, led by waste management company Ambi Par, in coordination with HM Coastguard, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and local councils. Residents who spot container debris can report it via marine.response@ambipar.com or 01202 653558.
P&O Iona cruise ship
The incident also caused a minor disruption for P&O Cruises’ Iona, which was delayed in Southampton due to the accident.
Seatrade, owner of the Baltic Klipper, confirmed that all relevant authorities were notified immediately. Five of the containers were empty, eight carried bananas, two held plantain, and one contained avocados. The company is working closely with UK authorities to recover the lost containers, with surveys underway before the ship can continue to port.
At this stage, there’s no confirmed deadline for completing the clean-up, but all agencies involved are meeting regularly to bring the operation to a safe and swift conclusion.
While the bananas may not make it onto anyone’s breakfast table, the incident is a vivid reminder of the unexpected adventures that can unfold along the coastline, and the impressive coordination required to keep everyone safe and the beaches clear.