A major cruise ship departure from Southampton has been thrown into chaos after a cargo vessel lost containers laden with bananas into a busy shipping lane.
Containers Overboard in the Solent
The incident occurred at approximately 6pm on Saturday, 6 December 2025, near the Nab Tower lighthouse off Bembridge on the Isle of Wight. The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) confirmed that 18 containers went overboard from the cargo ship. A spokeswoman stated the cargo was non-hazardous and no crew members were injured.
"HM Coastguard is closely monitoring the situation and working with the relevant authorities, including the vessel’s owners, who are responsible for recovering the containers," the MCA said. Warnings have been issued to other vessels in the area, and the Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team is on patrol.
Passenger Ship Grounded in Port
The fallout from the spill has directly impacted the P&O Cruises ship Iona, a vessel with a capacity for 5,200 passengers. It had been scheduled to depart Southampton on Saturday for a 14-day voyage to Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands.
Instead, the giant cruise liner has been stuck in the port since the accident. A P&O Cruises spokeswoman confirmed: “Iona has remained in Southampton overnight following the loss of containers from a cargo ship yesterday.”
Ongoing Recovery and Delays
The Iona's departure remains on hold while authorities work to confirm the exact location of the submerged containers. Their presence in the Solent, a critical waterway for shipping, poses a significant navigational hazard.
It is understood the cruise ship will only be cleared to sail once the authorities are satisfied the path is safe. The delay has disrupted the travel plans of thousands of holidaymakers awaiting the start of their winter getaway.
