The container fell off the Pride of Brailla, a ship that is registered in Antigua but was headed for Blyth in Northumberland, earlier this week.It is so far unclear what sort of packaging has been lost.
Coastguards have warned that the container, and another that is carrying eight tonnes of tissue, is floating in the North Sea and is likely to wash up on the north-east coast.
A warning has been issued to shipping in the North Sea over the lost containers.