THERE are fears that the number of containers lost overboard when the 7,200-TEU Svendborg Maersk became caught up a fierce storm in the Bay of Biscay may exceed first estimates of 200-300 boxes.

None of the crew was injured and damage to the ship was minor in what is believed to be biggest loss of containers that Maersk has ever suffered, reported Lloyd's List, adding that the ship diverted to Malaga, Spain, where company officials insurers, stowage and lashing experts investigated.

Many more containers were damaged after the stacks in at least six bays tilted over during the hurricane force winds that lashed much of Europe. The ship was reported to have been rolling at up to 40 degrees.

The 1998-built ship was heading from Rotterdam to Sri Lanka when the accident happened, and some of the lost containers were likely to have been empty on the backhaul leg.

Most containers that went overboard appears to have sunk. A tug with crane capability has been sent by the shipping company to retrieve any floating containers.

The lost containers are believed to be mainly 40-foot boxes although some would have been 20 foot, according to vice president of operations Palle Brodsgaard Laursen.