Expect more chaos in Asian Ports?

Recent reports shed light on a looming crisis in container availability, particularly originating from northern China. Despite proactive measures to address the shortage, the industry continues to grapple with persistent deficits. This blog delves into the multifaceted nature of the container shortage and the challenges hindering efforts to normalize availability.

Robust Market Demand and Lower Vessel Capacity:

Reports from forwarders highlight a collision between robust market demand and lower vessel capacity, primarily due to the ongoing Red Sea crisis.

Hans-Henrik Nielson, CargoGulf's Global Development Director, emphasizes the severity of the situation, noting a tangible scarcity of 40’ HC containers in China, as reported by Loadstar.

Impact Across Key Ports:

The repercussions of the container shortage reverberate across key ports in China, with Shanghai facing congestion and carriers like CMA and ANL experiencing extended waiting times and schedule delays.

Ligentia confirms equipment shortages, emphasizing the fluidity of the situation, where daily variations in stock complicate planning efforts.

Challenges Posed by Blank Sailings:

Blank sailings, a strategy employed by carriers to mitigate capacity constraints, compound the challenges faced by the industry.

A significant reduction in capacity announced for June further hampers the normalization of container availability.

Multifaceted Nature of the Shortage:

A deeper analysis reveals that the shortage is fueled by soaring export demand and disruptions to long-haul services.