Latest news: A container ship named Baltic Klipper (IMO9454759) has crashed into the sea at the Port of Southampton in the UK. In the accident, 18 refrigerated containers containing bananas and other fresh vegetables fell into the sea. The port authorities were forced to close the channel for emergency salvage, causing port operations to stagnate and delays in ships entering and leaving Southampton port!
It is reported that the accident occurred on the entry channel of the Port of Southampton in the UK, which is the second largest container port in the UK after the Port of Felixstowe in terms of throughput. The port shutdown and delay occurred between December 6th and 7th local time, when multiple ships were forced to remain in port due to a refrigerated cargo ship carrying fresh goods such as bananas accidentally falling into the sea in the Solent Strait. Authorities issued navigation warnings and launched search and salvage operations.
According to the notification from the British Maritime and Coast Guard (MCA), the refrigerated vessel involved is a Liberian Baltic Klipper vessel operated by Seatrade. The ship reported around 18:00 local time on Saturday that a total of 18 containers were lost in the Nab Tower area near the entrance of Southampton waters. This 15600 deadweight ton refrigerated ship departs from the Netherlands and can carry up to approximately 200 FEU refrigerated containers. Currently, AIS shows that the ship has anchored near Nab Tower.
MCA subsequently dispatched planes and helicopters to search the sea area and issued warnings to all surrounding ships and the public, urging them not to approach floating containers and reminding the public that picking up fallen items from containers is illegal.
The shipping company reported that out of the 18 containers that fell into the sea, 8 contained bananas, 2 contained plantains, 1 contained avocados, and the remaining 5 were empty. As of Sunday morning, MCA confirmed that 2 containers had been washed ashore, and then increased to 5, mainly concentrated near the coast of Selsey, with more containers seen floating near the coastline.
This accident also affected the passenger transport business at Southampton Port. The “Iona” cruise ship under P&O, with a total tonnage of 184000 and a capacity of 5400 passengers, was originally scheduled to depart on Saturday evening for Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands. However, due to the risk of floating containers in the sea, port authorities have instructed the ship not to leave the port temporarily. P&O stated that the voyage was forced to be delayed and finally set sail smoothly on Sunday noon.
MCA emphasizes that the salvage work of containers is the responsibility of the shipowner. At present, people have reported finding bananas washed ashore on the beach, but local authorities have warned that these foods have been contaminated and are not edible.
