Understanding the Science Behind Onions and Chips on England’s South Coast

In recent months, the beaches of England’s south-east coast have been a stage for an unusual incident involving cargo containers. Over the Christmas holiday, a cargo ship named Baltic Klipper lost 16 containers during inclement weather. This incident resulted in various goods washing ashore, including unexpected items such as vegetables, bananas, and insulation foam.

Shortly after, Storm Goretti caused a further accident, resulting in an additional 24 containers spilling into the ocean. Among those were shipments of chips and onions, which turned up on Sussex beaches. For many beachgoers, this was merely an inconvenience—an amusing sight. However, for oceanographers and researchers, it provided a rare opportunity to observe ocean currents and tides in action. Such incidents allow scientists to study the movement of materials across the ocean, akin to a “message in a bottle.”

Modern Shipping Practices and Container Loss

Cargo losses at sea are not a new phenomenon. Yet, the logistics of marine shipping have evolved significantly. Nowadays, the majority of goods are transported using standardized containers. This includes items ranging from oil to vehicles and other consumer products. Annually, over 250 million containers are shipped worldwide, with an estimated 80% of the goods in homes having crossed the oceans in such containers.

Despite the frequency of shipping, container losses remain relatively low. The World Shipping Council estimates that approximately 1,274 containers are lost each year globally. This rate varies from year to year; notable incidents include the ONE Apus disaster in 2020, when 1,800 containers were lost during a storm.

Unexpected Cargo: A Hazardous Mix

Some container losses have garnered significant attention and curious finds. A well-known event occurred in January 1992 when 12 containers fell from the Ever Laurel, leading to the dispersion of around 28,800 bath toys into the Pacific. Oceanographers Curt Ebbesmeyer and James Ingraham successfully tracked these toys, enhancing models of ocean currents.

Not all lost cargo is benign. In 2007, the MSC Napoli lost 114 containers during a storm, with some containing hazardous materials like explosives and chemicals. Such cargo poses risks to the marine environment and public safety, as sunken containers can be hard to detect.

Challenges in Container Security

Modern container ships prioritize speed and efficiency. A single large vessel can transport up to 25,000 containers, often stacked several layers high. The containers are secured with standardized fittings, enabling quick loading and unloading. However, extreme weather can overpower these security measures, especially for edge containers.

Achieving 100% security for cargo is nearly impossible without compromising efficiency. Stricter security would necessitate more ships, raising costs for consumers and contributing to higher greenhouse gas emissions.

Future of Cargo Loss Reporting

As global trade increases and climate change intensifies storm activity, the likelihood of container losses may rise. Under new regulations effective January 1, 2026, ship owners will be mandated to report all cargo losses and their contents. These regulations, developed by the World Shipping Council and the International Maritime Organisation, aim to enhance tracking, recovery, and accountability concerning lost cargo.

If beachgoers encounter containers washed ashore, they should report them to the coastguard rather than scavenging. In the UK, the ownership of items found on shores is regulated by the Receiver of Wreck, a single civil servant tasked with determining ownership rights.

• Incidents Summary:
  • Christmas 2023: 16 containers lost from Baltic Klipper.
  • Early 2024: 24 containers lost during Storm Goretti.
• Global Shipping Stats:
  • 250 million containers shipped annually
  • 80% of household goods transported by sea
  • Average annual loss: 1,274 containers

As we learn more about the implications of these incidents, it is essential to treat lost containers with caution. Their recovery and management can significantly impact marine safety and environmental health.