Two of these washed ashore at Selsey on Sunday morning, prompting the emergency services to cordon off the beach.
Thousands of bananas also washed ashore, with the labels suggesting they were bound for Tesco supermarkets.
Bananas on the beach in Selsey (Image: Eddie Mitchell)
The fire service warned members of the public to avoid the area as they may be “hazardous”.
Photographers John and Jean spotted the containers on the shore on Sunday morning.
They said: “Rough seas at East Beach are pushing the container onto the shore.
“Police with a drone, fire brigade and the Coastguard are in attendance. We believe the emergency services are waiting to see if it gets beached when the tide goes out.
“The container looks like it’s been damaged/holed as well. Lots of debris in the sea and on the beach as well.
“That’ll require a big clean-up operation.”
A HM Coastguard spokesperson said on Sunday: “HM Coastguard is continuing to work with the relevant authorities after 16 containers went overboard from the cargo ship Baltic Klipper in the Solent on 6 December.
“This includes working with the vessel’s owners who are responsible for recovering the containers.
“Eight of the containers were reported as carrying bananas, two as carrying plantain, one as carrying avocados, and the remaining five as empty.
“Two containers have come ashore at Selsey, where a cordon has been put in place.
The containers washed up on the beach at Selsey, West Sussex (Image: Eddie Mitchell)
Coastguard rescue teams from Selsey and Littlehampton, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Sussex Police are all in attendance.
It added: “The public are advised to avoid the area and are reminded that all wreck material found in the UK has to be reported to HM Coastguard’s Receiver of Wreck by completing an online form.
“Those who fail to declare items within 28 days are breaking the law and may have further action taken against then.
“Any sightings of the containers should be reported to the coastguard on 0344 382 0560.”
The container incident has had a big impact further afield than Sussex.
The P&O cruise ship Iona was delayed leaving Southampton. The ship was due to depart for Funchal in Madeira on Saturday afternoon.
HM Coastguard at the scene today (Image: Eddie Mitchell)
Passengers on board said their holiday had suffered a “really disappointing start”.
Nick West, 61, from Reading, was among those on board.
He said: “At about 7am I got up and went for some breakfast – I saw out the window that we were still in Southampton. One woman even turned to me at the buffet and said do you know where we are.
“I explained that we were still in Southampton and not in Madeira.
“The captain then made another announcement this morning to say that the recovery operation had been delayed.
“It’s a really disappointing start and due to the bad weather it’s really difficult to find somewhere to sit with all 5,000 passengers taking shelter from the rain.
“All the staff are still working hard onboard but it’s not the best start to our trip and in just a few hours we will be 24 hours behind schedule.”
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