The 9,500-TEU Maersk Salina has lost several containers laden with general cargo after storms hit the coast of Brittany in Bay of Biscay, the Danish shipping giant confirmed.

The ship's capacity has been listed on containership-info.com as 8,750 TEU, indicating an extra layer of boxes may have been added, sparking speculation that this made the vessel more vulnerable in high seas.

"The Maersk Salina, while in operation in the Bay of Biscay, lost a number of containers with general cargo into sea during the night between Sunday 27 and Monday 28 October," said a company statement.

"The crew is safe and accounted for and no damage was reported to the vessel. French maritime authorities were informed and it has been agreed to call nearest harbour to discharge a few containers still at risk of falling overboard before continuing the voyage to Zeebrugge," Maersk said.

"Maersk Line is in the process of contacting affected customers and will update with more information when available," the statement said.

The French coastguard has warned vessels in the area to watch out for potential hazards to navigation.

The Maersk Salina operates on the AE1 service, which covers Kobe, Nagoya, Yokohama, Ningbo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen-Yantian and Tanjung Pelepas and northern Europe. (Source: Shipping Gazette)