News / More empty containers going to Asia than loaded ones as tariff effect lingers

Transpacific ocean carriers are deadheading more equipment back to Asia than ever before – with US import tariffs actually exacerbating the imbalance.

According to a survey of the top 10 US ports by Alphaliner, the imbalance rate deteriorated significantly in the second half of last year, with inbound containers outstripping export boxes by a ratio of 2:1.

The consultant said imports grew 6.2% last year, at the 10 ports surveyed, to 20.66m teu, while exports increased by only 2.1%, to 11.06m teu.

The ...