Drewry: Container shortages caused by logistics not underinvestment

Empty container repositioning issues rather than inadequate fleets are driving container equipment shortages according to Drewry, with the capacity restrictions forcing freight rates to record highs.

According to the consultant’s Container Equipment Forecaster, the global ocean-borne container equipment fleet is expected to end the year having declined 1.1% to 39.9m teu, compared to a 3.3% projected fall in 2020 global container port handling.

This suggests that the former has more than kept pace with the latter, it noted.