Container shortage is still there and may continue until 2022! 2M Alliance announces adjustment of voyages

Affected by the epidemic, the import of foreign container goods has flourished unprecedentedly, causing continued congestion at ports.

It is understood that the number of sea containers shipped from China to the United States increased by 46.5% to 987,834. The demand for ocean freight is increasing, causing container shortages and delayed arrivals. From the end of 2020 to now, the price of a container has been around US$3,500, and the spot prices on all trade routes have also set new historical records in recent weeks.

Faced with a shortage of containers, container shipping company Maersk believes that it may return to pre-epidemic levels by the fourth quarter. However, some container equipment lessors believe that it may last until 2022 because they feel there is no sign that the tight supply situation is easing.

It is understood that most of the world's shipping containers are built in China. Currently, Chinese factories manufacture more than 96% of the world's dry cargo containers and 100% of the world's refrigerated containers.

Three Chinese companies account for the vast majority of production, including China International Marine Containers ( CIMC), China Eastern International Container Company and CXIC Group. In the first quarter of this year, these three Chinese container manufacturers accounted for 82% of global container production.

The current global container shortage should ease as port congestion eases and container production increases sharply this year.

It is reported that due to the current shipping delays and other operational restrictions, the 2M Alliance has decided to adjust its trans-Pacific West Coast US and Canada sailing service plan to match the actual dates of ships departing from Asia.

Its partner MSC has announced changes to sailing numbers on the following services to provide “better schedule reliability”.

MSC added that the delays also affected its Rose (2104E) service, with the following sailings cancelled:

Under the current tense situation, sellers' ability to deal with various risks is tested. Sellers can prepare in advance, reasonably adjust operation plans, and reduce unnecessary losses.

container

Voyage

2M Alliance