A bizarre maritime incident involving thousands of bananas has caused significant disruption in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Shipping containers packed with exotic fruit mysteriously fell from a cargo vessel into the Solent, washing ashore on the Isle of Wight and sparking chaos for passenger ships.
Containers Overboard in the Solent
The incident occurred at approximately 6pm on Friday, 6 December 2025. The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) confirmed that a total of 16 containers tumbled from the cargo ship Baltic Klipper near the Nab Tower lighthouse, off Bembridge.
An investigation is now underway to determine how the containers came loose in the congested English Channel. Of the containers lost, eight were carrying bananas, two held plantains, and one was filled with avocados. The remaining five were identified as empty.
No crew members were injured in the accident. Immediate warnings were broadcast to other vessels navigating the Solent area to alert them of the potential hazard.
Cruise Chaos and Passenger Frustration
The fallout from the spill directly impacted holidaymakers. Around 5,000 passengers aboard the P&O Cruises ship Iona faced a delayed departure from Southampton on Saturday.
The cruise, a two-week tour destined for Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands, was finally given clearance to set sail at midday on Saturday, 7 December. However, passengers took to social media to report being stuck onboard for hours with what they described as 'minimal information' from the captain about the reason for the hold-up.
Clean-Up and Official Warnings
A cordon has been established where two of the large crates came ashore in Selsey. The MCA stated that HM Coastguard is working with relevant authorities and the vessel's owners, who are responsible for recovering the lost containers.
The agency issued a stern reminder to the public, advising people to avoid the area. They emphasised that all wreck material found in the UK must be reported to HM Coastguard's Receiver of Wreck.
'Those who fail to declare items within 28 days are breaking the law and may have further action taken against them,' an MCA spokesperson warned.
The Baltic Klipper, operated by Seatrade and sailing under the flag of Liberia, is a substantial vessel capable of carrying more than 9,000 pallets. The cause of the container loss remains the subject of the ongoing investigation.
