Shipping containers clean-up

A major clean-up operation is ongoing after containers that went overboard from a cargo ship washed up along the West Sussex shoreline.

The containers came ashore around Selsey, Pagham Harbour and Bognor Regis having fallen from the Baltic Klipper while it was in the Solent on Saturday 6 December.

West Sussex County Council, Chichester District Council and Arun District Council are leading the co-ordination of the clean-up.

Environmental management company Ambipar is appointed to lead the clean-up of the waste materials from the beach and shoreline.

Our joint priorities remain public safety and protecting the environment.

It remains a complex and protracted operation over a large area, one that involves many people and multiple agencies, organisations and community groups.

 Photo credit: Ambipar

Work has begun to start removing the containers from the beaches. They are being moved to safe places where they can be broken up and then taken away.

More than 54 tonnes of waste, including organic material, plastics and metal have been removed from the beaches and shoreline.

On-site teams are moving along the beaches with vacuums to retrieve smaller pieces of foam.

All the agencies involved would like to extend their thanks to all volunteers and members of the public who have supported the operation and who continue to do so.

If you are planning on heading to the shoreline, please help us by keeping yourself and others safe and enjoy the coastline without putting yourself at risk:

• Do not approach, climb on or move remaining containers; they may break apart or shift without warning and may contain sharp metal and plastics
• Keep children and pets away from affected areas
• Follow signage and instruction from on-site teams

Waste and debris from the containers can be washed ashore with each tide. If you spot this, please report it as soon as possible by contacting Ambipar:

• Call 01202 653558
• Email marine.response@ambipar.com

Volunteers must follow the direction given from officials on site to ensure their safety, including: 

• Be aware of hazards on the beach including sharp materials such as metal and plastic that can also be heavy and unstable
• Be aware of and stay away from machinery in use on the beach and around the shoreline 
• Be mindful of the tides, currents, tide times and daylight hours and not working longer than it is safe to do so 
• Keep well back from the waterline and do not go into the water 
• Do not work on your own. Buddy up, work in pairs or small teams 
• Wear sensible warm, water-proof and weather-proof clothing and safe, sturdy footwear 
• Do not attempt to climb on rocks or other structures, or retrieve materials that could place you in any kind of danger 
• Wear gloves and make use of equipment such as litter pickers 
• Do not bring young children or pets 
• Do not enter cordoned-off areas 
• Report any hazards or dangers to on-site staff.

19/1/25: Progress on recovering waste and shipping containers from West Sussex shoreline

15/12/25: The clean-up of West Sussex’s shoreline continues 

12/12/25: West Sussex shoreline clean-up operation continues into the weekend

10/12/25: Major clean-up operation continues after shipping containers came ashore in West Sussex 

9/12/25: Update statement regarding shipping containers coming ashore in West Sussex 

8/12/25: Statement regarding shipping containers coming ashore in West Sussex

 Photo credit: Ambipar