The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 (Thai MECC 3) reported that one of the containers was sighted yesterday (Mar 31) after the Phang Nga Port Security Control Centre received a notification from a local fishing vessel network.
The container, marked ‘Hyundai’, was found floating west of Koh Hu Yong in the waters of Similan Islands National Park, Phang Nga. Officials confirmed no cargo was seen leaking or escaping from the container.
Initial assessments indicate the container was previously reported on Mar 26, and had since drifted northward with the current by some 3.4 nautical miles.
The sighting followed an earlier alert issued last Friday (Mar 27), when the Hyundai container and another blue, unmarked container were spotted southwest of Koh Hu Yong, about 10 nautical miles offshore.
Authorities at the time warned that the containers posed a potential danger to navigation, particularly for fishing boats and tourist vessels operating in the busy waters around the Similan Islands.
Following the initial discovery, the Phang Nga Provincial Maritime Security Centre coordinated with the Marine Department Region 5 branch to issue navigation warnings, urging all vessels in the area to exercise increased caution. Fishing and tourism operators were also directly notified to help prevent maritime accidents.
Officials also began coordinating with representatives of the container’s owner and its insurance company to arrange for retrieval operations.
Thai MECC 3 confirmed that relevant agencies are continuing to closely monitor the drifting container and will take further action in accordance with maritime safety procedures.
The repeated sightings come amid ongoing efforts to manage the aftermath of the February sinking of the cargo vessel SEALLOYD ARC, which went down southwest of Phuket. Authorities have been tracking floating debris from the wreck, including containers that may have broken free and drifted with ocean currents.
Maritime officials have urged all vessels navigating in the Similan Islands area to remain vigilant for floating hazards and to report any sightings immediately.
Emergency incidents and maritime hazards can be reported to the Thai MECC hotline 1465, available 24 hours a day.