The UK Maritime Accident Investigation Branch has launched an investigation into the loss of cargo from the container ship Baltic Klipper in Solent, the preliminary findings of which suggest that the loss of cargo was likely due to the failure of container securing and severe sea conditions.

At approximately 100 on 6 December 2025, the Liberian-registered container ship Baltic Klipper, while preparing to come alongside at East Cowes, Isle ofight, 3 n.miles east of the pilot station to await a pilot to enter Portsmouth, lost 16 reefer containers overboard.

sea was described as very rough with a significant swell and a strong south-westerly wind was blowing.

The Solent Deep Water Channel was briefly closed a result of this incident and local port shipping was disrupted due to the potential risk of collision with the half-submerged containers.

Thirteen containers have now been up on the south coast at West Wittering, Bouldnor Regis and Pagham Harbour, resulting in food and plastic insulation materials being deposited on the beach. A further three containers are still missing and a clean-up operation is ongoing.

The preliminary investigation suggests that some of the containers were not properly secured on board as the vessel in port and the severe list to port as the Baltic Klipper turned to enter Portsmouth caused these boxes to fall into the sea.

The purpose of MAIB safety investigation is to determine the causal events leading to the incident, to understand why it happened, and to make recommendations to prevent a similar incident from occurring again. The investigation focus on the practice of removing cargo securing arrangements during a voyage and prior to entering port and its effects.