Container clear up continues across the South - Updated 15.01.2026 @11:45

A major clean-up is continuing along the Sussex coast, after shipping containers washed up on several beaches, spilling their contents.

They’re believed to be among 24 containers lost from two cargo ships near the Isle of Wight during Storm Goretti last week.

Debris, including cans of milk, bags of onions, insulation foam and metal fragments, has been found from Selsey through to Camber Sands, and now on beaches in Kent.

Sue Hickey from Keep East Preston Tidy is angry that this is the second time this has happened in recent weeks, she says: "This hasn't happened on this scale before, so there must be something happening on container ships that would be my guess.

"The polystyrene packaging can be picked up instantly, but it starts to disintegrate immediately; the sea and its power get hold of it, so if there had been an instant response, that polystyrene would have been cleared up."

HM Coastguard says: At 7.50am yesterday (Tuesday 13 January), Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to three shipping containers reported ashore at Seaford.  

Yesterday, a container off Littlehampton was recovered by a contracted salvage vessel, while other containers at Selsey, Eastbourne, Newhaven, Rustington, Rottingdean and Beachey Head are currently being monitored.  

An HM Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft has been sent to surveil the area this morning and continues to monitor for further missing units. All containers will be assessed to establish their origin. Cargo lists confirm that the contents of containers that went overboard from two vessels on 8 January are non-hazardous.  

The recovery of all containers remains the responsibility of the vessels' operators, which HM Coastguard is liaising with along with salvors.  

Any sightings of containers should be reported to Solent Coastguard on 0344 382 0560 or via VHF radio. Non-perishable wreck material arriving on shore, including cargo, must be reported to the Receiver of Wreck within 28 days. Visit https://www.gov.uk/report-wreck-material  

East Sussex County Council have released the following statement:

A clean-up operation is underway to safely remove the remains of shipping containers and debris that have washed up on a number of beaches along the East Sussex coastline.

We continue to work with district and borough colleagues and the relevant agencies to monitor the situation and clear the affected beaches.

We would encourage the public to take extra care if they are visiting the coastline.

Joint statement from West Sussex County Council, Arun District Council and Chichester District Council:

Teams involved in the clean-up of waste from the West Sussex shoreline are responding as more containers and debris come ashore.

Ambipar have recovered a significant amount of debris from the container washed ashore at Elmer in Bognor Regis. AR Banks remain on site to recover the container sections across the region. To date, it has not yet been possible to recover most of the container at Elmer Beach because of the weather and water conditions and this work is ongoing.

A further container that landed at Selsey has been partially recovered by AR Banks teams, who will return to site to recover the remainder over the coming days as weather and sea conditions permit.

There is no confirmation yet on the provenance of the containers that have washed ashore.

Teams involved are also responding to further waste materials coming ashore right across the West Sussex coastline, from the West Witterings to Shoreham.

We would like to remind members of the public that any containers and their contents that have been washed ashore may well be unsafe both for people and animals. We therefore strongly advise you not to go near them and help by also keeping children and pets clear.

Find further information on the clean-up and guidance on staying safe along the coastline.

Anyone spotting waste washed ashore in West Sussex can contact Ambipar directly on 01202 653 558 or email marine.response@ambipar.com.

We understand more containers have been sighted afloat around the West Sussex coastline and we are working with partner agencies who are tracking these.

Anyone who spots containers afloat offshore along the coast should report these directly to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

We are also hearing of containers and debris being washed ashore outside of West Sussex.

While the three councils and the contractors involved in the clean-up in West Sussex can operate within the county only, we are working with neighbouring partners to share information and co-ordinate operations.

This remains a developing situation, and we will update again as soon as possible.

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