The huge clean up operation is ongoing after the containers were lost from the Baltic Klipper on Saturday, December 6.
Local authorities reported that seven washed ashore in Selsey, two in Bognor and two in Pagham Harbour, spilling their contents of fruit and polystyrene onto beaches.
Arun District Council, Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council are leading the clean-up with Ambipar, an environmental management company, on site to help secure the containers as well as collect the waste.
Volunteers have also rallied to clean up the beaches, including Selsey Beach Litter Ninjas.
Bognor and Littlehampton MP Alison Griffiths said today, December 11, that the “cost of clearing this mess should not fall to residents” and she is calling for the bill to be met by the vessel’s operator and insurers.
In an update on the situation, she said: “The teams on the ground have now moved past the initial ‘make safe’ phase and are getting on with the slower, detailed work.
“Ambipar has brought in more staff and they’re going through the affected areas carefully, looking not just at what’s visible on the beach but at the wider environmental impact.
“Some specialist kit is also being brought in to help deal with the smaller bits of debris that have spread further than expected.
“HM Coastguard is still checking offshore for any remaining containers.
“The costs of clearing this mess should not fall to residents, who are already doing so much to help.
“I am firmly pressing this point with the councils involved to ensure that the bill is met by the vessel’s operators and their insurers, which I am sure you’ll agree is the right outcome.”
She also advised those helping with the clean up to “take care” due to the sharpness of debris.
“The advice is to avoid going out alone and to keep clear of the waterline,” Ms Griffiths added.
Operator Seatrade has been contacted for comment.
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