KUALA LUMPUR - Ships plying the narrow Malacca Straits are advised to be o­n a lookout for dozens of floating containers that fell into the sea after two ships collided off Malaysia's southern Johor coast, an official said today.

"The containers are a hazard to ships and they are scattered over a wide area from Kukup to Pulau Pisang," a Marine department official told AFP o­n condition of anonymity.

If a ship hits the containers, it could puncture a hole in the hull and may cause the ship to sink," another maritime official said.

The official said two marine boats have been deployed to search for the containers.