Since August 2020, there has been a serious shortage of containers in The Asian shipping market, especially in the Chinese market.


Cancelled after the container shipping company sailing across the Pacific Ocean trade, in July and August, the goods imported from Asia to Europe also surged, due to blockade to alleviate these factors is difficult to make the shipping company will container back to Asia, Asia port container availability have fallen sharply, while some American and European ports facing residence time increases and port congestion.


It is now difficult for carriers to ship the boxes back to Asian loading ports. Hapag Lloyd, for example, will now have to wait eight days to retrieve empty containers from a Warehouse in China only before sailing in.


By contrast, from October 1, CMA CGM will charge a $150 port congestion charge per TEU for all Asian containers imported or exported through Felixstowe.


That is one reason why Demand for containers in Asia has risen to record levels. If possible, finding containers for one-way use helps increase flexibility and avoid demurrage and retention.


According to the current turnover efficiency of shipping containers and the trend of international trade, the shortage of containers will still exist for a considerable period of time, which is difficult to alleviate.