News / Carriers must keep returning empty boxes to avoid shortage going into February

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Unless carriers continue to “aggressively” repatriate boxes to Asia, the equipment shortage crisis will last until February according to SeaIntelligence.

Carriers are maximising procurement of new containers, but the impact of new equipment into the supply chain will take some time.

“The market is faced with a stark choice,” said SeaIntelligence chief executive Alan Murphy. “Either carriers pursue the current strategy and there is a possibility of resolving the container shortage during January, or they reduce their aggressive repositioning strategy in order ...