The International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) has issued a container safety alert in the wake of a deadly storm that hit the United Kingdom and Ireland in January. 

At least two people died in Storm Isha, which left hundreds of thousands of properties in Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-west England and Wales without power and disrupted road, rail and air transport.

At Peel Ports Dublin, gale force winds blew two 45 ft containers off a stack, with one crashing through the fence and landing on a public road.

No one was injured in the incident and the ICHCA says the containers were stacked according to local guidelines.

A review found several containers were not properly aligned.

Peel Ports has now increased its container separation distance and changed its perimeter stacking configuration.

The ICHCA advised its members to review their own container separation distances and regularly check stacks are properly aligned.