New analysis from Danish liner consultancy Sea-Intelligence shows the growing percentage of empty containers moving around the world. 

Experts at Sea-Intelligence have calculated the share of empties relative to full containers, based on teu-miles, and found out that currently 41% of container transport is empty. 

“The present situation is that for every 10 miles a full container is shipped, there is now a need to ship an empty container 4.1 miles – sharply up from ‘just’ 3.1 miles in 2019, before the pandemic market disruptions,” Sea-Intelligence explained in its latest weekly report, noting a five-year increasing trend, with only a minor temporary reduction in 2022 (see chart below).

Discussing the issue of empty containers, Acumen Freight Solutions, a Karachi-based freight forwarder, noted in a recent social media posting that trade rarely flows evenly between countries. 

“Some regions export far more than they import, while others are primarily import-driven. This creates container imbalances where one port is overflowing with empties while another struggles with shortages,” Acumen explained, pointing out that ports in Asia often face container shortages due to high export volumes, while ports in North America and Europe may see surpluses as more imports arrive than exports leave.