Ports & Shipping - Global Maritime Industry - Ocean shipping companies lead the fight against the empty container build-up.

The willingness of shipping lines to make direct cost outlays and forego revenue to reduce the empty container backlog shows the incredible support being given by ocean carriers to keeping Australia's supply chain functioning.

Empty container congestion has been a problem at major ports all round the world. This is a result of unprecedented consumer demand driven by a Covid-induced shift from spending on services to spending on goods. In Sydney, the problem was exacerbated by weather events and industrial action. Carriers are being limited to their contracted container exchanges to recover schedules. For instance, if a ship has two thousand imports and is only allowed 2500 exchanges, then only 500 boxes can be exported.

Container congestion is inevitable unless additional calls...