Container shortage is to continue into 2011

Container shortage is to continue into 2011 and will affect the peak season with three million TEU fewer in 2011 compared to the historical industry-standard level, said the World Shipping Council (WSC) in its latest Container Supply Review.
Slow steaming is also having an impact, accounting for boxes being held longer by carriers and having fewer available for re-deployment for fresh consignments in any given period.
Slow steaming is a big factor in reducing the container fleet, with carriers employing 10 per cent less, down by five per cent, on long voyages such as Asia to Europe which require more boxes regardless of slow steaming use, concluded a separate report from SeaIntel, cited by the WSC.
Despite global cargo demand up by 11 per cent and container production increase of 26 per cent in comparison to 2008 levels, and 2009 when production dropped to lows of 450,000 TEU from a three million TEU average yearly over a five-year period, the WSC reports continued container imbalance, Exim News Service reports. (source: transportweekly)

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