SOME 20 containers with assorted freight were lost overboard in Frobisher Bay the southernmost inlet of Canada's Baffin Island, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.

The vessel appears to be NEAS's Sivumut, an 8,000 dwt cargo ship. Built in 2010 and registered in Canada, it can transport up to 655 containers or loose cargo. The vessel has two onboard cranes for cargo handling.

The vessel was shown at anchor with the containers floating behind the ship. Weather in the area could also present a challenge with air temperatures in the mid-20s F.

The government did not advise what is in the containers. However, they are warning that the containers are drifting and could be heading to neighboring Apex. The vessel appears to have been in the port all week handling cargo.

Iqaluit new deep sea port was only opened officially in July after C$100 million (US$72.5 million) project to replace the old sealift beach which the local government had deemed no longer suited to the community's sealift operations.